Football Dec 07, 2025

Kim Hellberg: Middlesbrough beat Championship rivals to appointment of new boss as Swansea appoint Vitor Matos

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Kim Hellberg: Middlesbrough beat Championship rivals to appointment of new boss as Swansea appoint Vitor Matos

Middlesbrough have announced the appointment of new boss Kim Hellberg to replace Rob Edwards, while Swansea have brought in Vitor Matos as their new head coach.

Thirty-seven-year-old Hellberg is one of the most highly regarded young coaches from Scandinavia having led Hammarby for the last two years.

He replaces Edwards, who contentiously left the Riverside Stadium for Wolves earlier this month.

"I'm delighted to have been appointed as Boro's head coach and I'm very proud to be here," Hellberg said.

"A lot of things make Boro the perfect choice for me. The way they play and want to play, together with the crowd, suits me and how I want to work.

"I want us to play quick and aggressive football, and to try to win the ball as quickly as possible if we don't have it. I want us to be quick on goal and create a lot of chances.

"I've been very impressed with the players and how they've worked so far this season, and I'm looking forward to getting to work with them."

Hellberg will be joined by his long-standing assistant David Selini, who will link up with Adi Viveash on the coaching staff.

Boro sit second in the Championship table, seven points behind leaders Coventry. They host the Sky Blues on Tuesday night, live on SportNews+.

Viveash will remain in charge of that game, with Hellberg taking the reins later this week.

Hellberg had attracted the interest of other Championship clubs, and was also in talks with Swansea last week, but it is Boro who have sealed his signature.

Meanwhile, Swansea have appointed Matos on a contract running until the summer of 2029.

Matos had been in charge of Maritimo in Portugal, where he won six of his 12 games in charge after taking the permanent job in June.

The 37-year-old had previously worked as elite development coach at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and as assistant to Pep Lijnders at Red Bull Salzburg.

Swansea said in a statement: "Matos was identified as the standout choice for the role, and was selected for his ability to implement a high-intensity, possession-based style of play.

"His appointment continues Swansea's long record of providing opportunities and backing to ambitious, technically-focused young coaches, and Matos was the outstanding candidate from those the club interviewed during what was a thorough but concise recruitment process."

Matos will take charge of Swansea's game against Derby on Tuesday night.

Analysis by SportNews News' Lyall Thomas:

"Kim Hellberg is one of the most highly-regarded young coaches in Sweden who has been impressing other clubs, including in England, for a while. Swansea actually spoke to the 37-year-old before they appointed Alan Sheehan.

"He took Hammarby to second in the Swedish top flight in the 2025 campaign. Hammarby wanted to keep him and had planned to offer him an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

"He is known for having brought through a lot of young players and developed them at Hammarby, including some that have been sold on and made the club money.

"His team are also known for their exciting, attacking way of playing. They scored the most goals in Allsvenskan (60) this past season and had the highest expected goals for (xGF) in the division with 1.97 per game.

"They'll play a Champions League qualifier next season, but without Hellberg at the helm."

Tags:

football news id:13474874

Share this article

Related Posts

Tammy Abraham helped 'fallen giants' Aston Villa get back on their feet but returns with unfinished business

Tammy Abraham helped 'fallen giants' Aston Villa get back on their feet but returns with unfinished business

They say never fall in love with a loan player - but Tammy Abraham's return to Aston Villa proves some chapters are meant to be reopened. "The fallen...

Leeds 0-4 Arsenal: 'Dominant' Elland Road win has won Gunners the Premier League title, says Paul Merson

Leeds 0-4 Arsenal: 'Dominant' Elland Road win has won Gunners the Premier League title, says Paul Merson

Paul Merson says Arsenal's dominant victory at Leeds will go down as the game that won them the Premier League title.Questions were starting to be ask...

WSL FREE STREAMS: Watch West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton vs London City and Everton vs Aston Villa

WSL FREE STREAMS: Watch West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton vs London City and Everton vs Aston Villa

📱Not got Sky? or 📺 | Your Site has begun a new five-year partnership with the WSL, showing 90 per cent of all Women's Super League matches from th...

Thomas Frank exclusive: Tottenham boss did not fear for job after West Ham loss but is aware of 'sacked' chants

Thomas Frank exclusive: Tottenham boss did not fear for job after West Ham loss but is aware of 'sacked' chants

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank did not fear losing his job after this month's home defeat against West Ham.Frank's seven-month Spurs tenure looked...

Sonia Bompastor interview: Chelsea Women head coach changes tune on Women's Super League title hopes ahead of big Man City game

Sonia Bompastor interview: Chelsea Women head coach changes tune on Women's Super League title hopes ahead of big Man City game

There was an unrecognisable look to Chelsea on Saturday. Normally this is the part of the season where they stand up and deliver, but defeat to Arsena...

Javi Gracia resigns as Watford head coach after board meeting following Swansea defeat

Javi Gracia resigns as Watford head coach after board meeting following Swansea defeat

Watford head coach Javi Gracia has resigned just three months after returning to Vicarage Road.Gracia - who only returned for a second spell at Vicara...