Boro close to confirming Hellberg appointment

Middlesbrough are poised to confirm Kim Hellberg as their new manager.

The 37-year-old is due to join from Swedish side Hammarby and replace Rob Edwards following his move to Wolves.

Boro have been finalising Hellberg's work permit and he is not expected to take charge of Tuesday's Championship top-of-the-table visit of leaders Coventry, with caretaker Aidy Viveash again due to lead Boro.

Middlesbrough are second in the table, seven points behind the Sky Blues after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Oxford.

Hellberg took Hammarby to second-placed finishes in the Swedish top flight during his two seasons in charge.

Ex-Wolves first-team coach Ian Burchnall is in the running to replace Hellberg.

Burchnall, a former Forest Green and Notts County manager, has previously managed in Scandinavia having taken charge of Viking in Norway and Ostersunds in Sweden, when he succeeded Graham Potter in 2018.

Burchnall had been working with Jamaica under Steve McClaren for their last six World Cup qualifiers before McClaren stood down last week following the Reggae Boyz's failure to seal automatic qualification.