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Image source, Rex Features
Kim Hellberg has never been head coach of a team outside Sweden
ByAdam LaniganBBC Sport, North East & Cumbria and Rob LawBBC Radio Tees
Middlesbrough are set to appoint Kim Hellberg as head coach.
The 37-year-old is head coach at Hammarby in his native Sweden, leading them to second-placed finishes in the top flight in two seasons in charge.
He was interviewed for the vacant role at Swansea City last week, before meeting with Boro after Rob Edwards quit to join join Wolves.
Hellberg's appointment is subject to his receiving a work permit, and Adi Viveash will remain in interim charge for the Championship match at Oxford United on Saturday.
Boro are second in the table, five points behind Coventry City.
Hellberg, who spent his playing career in the Swedish lower leagues, has a year to run on his Hammarby contract.
He began his coaching career in the Swedish lower divisions with Kuddby IF, moving to IF Sylvia before joining the staff at top-tier club IFK Norrkoping in 2020.
His first head coach's role in the Allsvenskan came at IFK Varnamo, where two impressive seasons led to his move to Hammarby.
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