Sunderland are set to hold talks over their managerial vacancy today.
That’s according to Swedish media outlet Sportbladet, who have reported that Kim Hellberg is due to fly to England for discussions.
Sunderland parted ways with Tony Mowbray earlier this week after a run of only two wins in nine games, leaving the team ninth in the Championship table.
The 60-year-old had already guided the Black Cats to the play-offs in their first season back in the second tier, however his previous success wasn’t enough for the club to give him more time to turn things around.
Sunderland didn’t have a replacement lined up though, and have already been linked with a long list of names across Europe.
But it appears that one of the first candidates they will take to is Kim Hellberg.
The report claimed that the 35-year-old would meet with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus in the next 24 hours yesterday, shortly after Hellberg had already announced that he would be leaving his current club.
The former midfielder has spent his entire career in his native Sweden, beginning his managerial career with Kimstaf GolF at only 23 years old.
Hellberg has won promotion on four separate occasions with three different clubs, before joining top tier side IFK Varnamo last year.
Hellberg guided the Swedish outfit to a fifth place finish in Allsvenskan last season before confirming he would leave for a new challenge.
He has already been lined up to replace QPR’s new boss Marti Cifuentes at Hammarby, but could now reportedly be tempted by a move to the Stadium of Light instead.
Is Kim Hellberg the right man for the job?
Kim Hellberg is 35 years old but has already been in the management game for 12 years, moving himself up the ranks in Swedish football.
The coach has never left his home country which could be seen as a concern, though we can’t forget that Graham Potter earned his move to the Championship following seven years with Ostersund.
There has been suggestions that Hellberg likes his team to dominate possession with high intensity and plenty of width – which could definitely suit Sunderland.
Varnamo only scored 37 goals in 30 games last season though – the second lowest tally in the top half of the table. They also conceded only 34 – the third lowest.
While we certainly can’t write off an unknown coach, it will be hard to not feel disappointed if we don’t go all out to try get someone like Will Still. He’s done a brilliant job with Reims and his ability to switch between French and English would come in very handy.