New Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg says he won’t danger altering the staff’s model an excessive amount of initially of his reign, as he appears to be like to information the membership into the Premier League.
The Swede is getting ready for his first recreation in cost on Saturday towards Derby County at Riverside Stadium (15:00 GMT) having
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Hellberg takes over with Boro third within the Championship desk, 10 factors behind leaders Coventry and solely under second-placed Stoke Metropolis on objective distinction.
“To get to the Premier League, that is the clear purpose,” mentioned Hellberg in his first press convention. “If it is this 12 months or subsequent 12 months, it’s after all tough to say.
“It is a possibility once you’re on this place, to purpose for it and to work as laborious as doable to get into that spot that will get you to the Premier League. That is nothing to cover from.”
Adi Viveash has been in momentary cost following Edwards’ Wolverhampton Wanderers two weeks in the past, simply 14 matches into the marketing campaign.
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Underneath Viveash, Boro picked up 4 factors with a win and draw earlier than falling to on Tuesday, which Hellberg was within the stands to observe.
“It is a aggressive league. It is going to be a protracted season, a tricky season,” Hellberg added, having been unveiled to the Boro followers earlier than kick-off on Tuesday.
“That is additionally somewhat bit difficult coming in the course of a season when it comes to [taking charge of] two classes earlier than the Derby recreation and you do not need to change an excessive amount of.
“We begin to change some issues, however that steadiness shall be a key.”
Middlesbrough assistant head coach David Selini additionally labored with Kim Hellberg at Hammarby [Middlesbrough FC / Tom Banks]
‘Aggressive’ soccer impressed by music
Hellberg has eventual ambitions of enjoying the form of attacking model that he turned identified for at his earlier membership Hammarby in his native Sweden.
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“I need to play aggressive, high-defending soccer. I need to win the ball again as rapidly as doable if we do not have it,” he mentioned.
“I need to management the ball by maintaining it. It must be a goal of taking the ball ahead.
“We discuss so much about staccato from Italian music like David [Selini, assistant head coach] has [taught] me.
“Generally enjoying sluggish, however you then get that feeling of now it goes very fast, I like that.”
At 37, Hellberg is the joint second-youngest supervisor within the Championship alongside new Swansea head coach Vitor Matos and behind solely West Brom’s 34-year-old boss Ryan Mason.
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It’s a sizeable leap from Swedish soccer to being dropped right into a Championship promotion bid, a 3rd of the best way into the season, however Hellberg believes that his 14 years of teaching expertise put him in a great place to hit the bottom operating in England.
He additionally realized the ropes from father Stefan, who has been a coach for 25 years in Sweden.
“It is a dream to educate in England. I’m able to take the step,” he mentioned.
“As a coach, typically you convey soccer house. You’re employed all the time. It was good for me to develop up with a father that liked soccer, that labored like that.
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“I used to be clear that I wished [that] and labored very laborious.”
Kim Hellberg remembers watching Middlesbrough beat Manchester Metropolis 8-1 in 2008 [Getty Images]
Recollections of 8-1 and Afonso Alves
It could excite Boro supporters to listen to that Hellberg lists former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa and former Brighton supervisor Roberto de Zerbi among the many coaches he appears to be like as much as, however he has one reminiscence that followers will notably take pleasure in listening to.
“I like English soccer and I’ve watched Middlesbrough so much since I used to be 5 – 6 years previous,” he mentioned.
“I knew of , Afonso Alves scoring from that recreation. Sven-Goran Eriksson was coach of Manchester Metropolis.
“I’ve seen quite a lot of English soccer, however it’s a must to be right here to know the whole lot.”
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The brand new boss is aware of that he shall be entering into the deep finish towards Derby on Saturday, however he carries no scarcity of pleasure, regardless of the problem forward.
“I [got] somewhat little bit of goosebumps on Tuesday night. The reception from followers was wonderful,” he mentioned.
“Everybody that I have been speaking to has defined the group as a hard-working group.
“I can not ask of them to place each shot within the high nook. I can solely ask of them to offer me the very best.
“It is a problem, however I’ve quite a lot of good individuals round me.”
After the Derby recreation on Saturday, Boro subsequent journey to Hull Metropolis and Charlton Athletic, earlier than returning to the north east to host Queens Park Rangers on 13 December.
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