Sunderland are weighing up making Kim Hellberg their new manager though Sweden international Jonathan Levi has not given up hope that the highly-rated head coach will take over at IFK Norrkoping instead.
Earlier this week, the i News spelled out exactly what Sunderland would be looking for in their pursuit of a Tony Mowbray replacement. You can forget about your short-term quick fixes. Your ‘been there and done it’s’. The Neil Warnocks and the Mick McCarthys.
Sunderland are prioritising a young, hungry, up-and-coming coach. One willing to buy into Kristjaan Speakman’s recruitment policy, and take over at the helm of a budding dressing room short on experience but brimming with potential.
The report added that the Black Cats would look to Europe for Mowbray’s successor too. And, with Kim Hellberg summoned for talks with the Stadium of Light bosses, the 35-year-old Swede appears to have emerged as one of the club’s leading candidates.
Sunderland interview Kim Hellberg
Hellberg led IFK Vanarmo to fifth in the Allsvenskan last term. Their best-ever season in the top flight. His contract officially expires on December 31st, too, making Hellberg a damn sight more attainable than the likes of Will Still (Stade de Reims) and Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town).
“Kim is the coach who has taught me the most at senior level,” Levi tells NT of Hellberg, who spent the 2020/21 season as an assistant coach at Norrkoping. “When you’re young, of course you learn technical stuff. But (Hellberg was) something else entirely.
“There is no one who has developed me more than Kim. He is incredibly good when it comes to (telling players) how to position yourself, how to drive the ball, which shoulder to drive the ball towards in relation to the defenders, how to move in the box, and how to get a four-vs-three situation (or a) three-on-two situation.”
Black Cats need a new manager
Levi left Norkopping recently, and is urging his former club to make a move Hellberg before Sunderland get their mitts on him. According to The Times, Hellberg had discussions with the Black Cats on Thursday.
“I hope that IFK does everything they can to try to get hold of him,” Levi adds. “He would be absolutely perfect for Norrkoping.
“But I understand if he takes over at Sunderland instead. The decision is Kim’s. He knows what is best for himself.”
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