Sunderland will conduct talks about their managerial position today.
According to the Swedish newspaper Sportbladet, Kim Hellberg is scheduled to travel to England for talks. Sunderland fired Tony Mowbray earlier this week following only two victories in nine games, dropping the club to ninth in the Championship table.
The 60-year-old had already led the Black Cats to the play-offs in their first season back in the second division, but his prior success wasn’t enough for the club to extend his contract.
Sunderland, on the other hand, had no replacement lined up and had previously been associated with a large list of names from throughout Europe.
However, Kim Hellberg appears to be one of the first possibilities they will consider.
According to the story, the 35-year-old will meet with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus within the following 24 hours, shortly after Hellberg stated his intention to leave his current club.
The former midfielder has spent his entire career in Sweden, commencing as a manager with Kimstaf GolF at the age of 23.
Hellberg gained promotion four times with three different clubs before joining top-tier IFK Varnamo last year.
Hellberg led the Swedish club to fifth place in Allsvenskan last season before announcing his departure for a new challenge.
He was already being considered to replace QPR’s new manager Marti Cifuentes at Hammarby, but could now be enticed by a move to the Stadium of Light instead.
Is Kim Hellberg the right man for the job?
Kim Hellberg, at 35 years old, has amassed 12 years of experience in management within Swedish football, steadily progressing through the ranks.
Despite his impressive tenure, it’s worth noting that Hellberg has never ventured outside his home country—a factor that some might view as a potential concern. However, it’s essential to recall Graham Potter’s success, as he transitioned to the Championship after spending seven years with Ostersund.
Reports suggest that Hellberg favors a style of play emphasizing possession dominance coupled with high intensity and expansive width—a strategy that could align well with Sunderland’s approach.
Notably, Varnamo, under Hellberg’s guidance, scored just 37 goals in 30 games last season—an output that ranked as the second lowest among top-half teams. Conversely, their defense proved resilient, conceding only 34 goals, the third lowest in the league.
While acknowledging the potential of an untested coach like Hellberg, there’s a sense of apprehension about not pursuing someone of the caliber of Will Still aggressively. Still has excelled at Reims, showcasing impressive managerial skills, and his proficiency in both French and English could be an asset.
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