Kim Hellberg interview: Changing Middlesbrough's style mid-season and the accent on Teesside
Kim Hellberg on changing Middlesbrough's style mid-season: "It has probably gone quicker than I expected" Watch Queens Park Rangers vs Middlesbrough live on Sky Sports Football from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
Thursday 5 March 2026 12:57, UK
Even as a Swede who speaks perfect English, the local linguistics on Teesside can still occasionally throw Kim Hellberg a curveball.
"Sometimes it’s the accent that’s hardest to understand!" the Middlesbrough boss tells Sky Sports with a laugh.
"Around football it’s easier because people help you understand. In shops or everyday situations, it can be more difficult with certain accents.
"But my English is improving all the time, and it’s good to use it every day."
In near-enough every way, Hellberg has taken to the English game like a duck to water. Replacing Rob Edwards mid-season, he has managed 11 wins in 18 games.
In late November he was in the stands to watch Middlesbrough lose at home to Coventry, while four days later he was in the dugout to oversee a 2-1 win over Derby - the first of four straight wins to begin his tenure.
He admits that even he was surprised at how quickly the players took to his methods.
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"It has probably gone quicker than I expected," the 38-year-old says. "I tried from the first day. Of course, you have to move forward step by step.
"We only had two sessions before the Derby game at home, so it was about finding the balance, implementing small details that show how we want to play, then building on that every day.
"The switch in style from the first 17 games was significant, not right or wrong, just different. Changing the way you play and train in the middle of a season is difficult, especially when it's such a big shift in approach.
"I've been very impressed by how the players have handled it. My aim was maybe to take it a bit slower, because it was also a new situation for me, I've always started with a pre-season before.
"Normally you have six weeks; here, we had very little time. We relied heavily on the coaching staff's knowledge and built a clear plan together.
"Because we don't have much time on the grass, we've used the video room even more than I've done before, working on tactical details and reinforcing concepts there.
"Then on the pitch, it's about rehearsing movements and improving from each game. It's been an interesting balance to find, but one I've enjoyed. We've tried to create an environment where the important things are constantly reinforced.
"We still need to work very hard to keep developing, but I'm very pleased with how the players have responded and how they're performing. They deserve a lot of credit. It has gone quicker than I thought."
Hellberg touched upon the style change, and it has perhaps been the most remarkable thing of his tenure so far.
Edwards had begun the season with a robust shape, while the Swede took that on and has made them more attacking, high pressing and fluid.
It is similar to his style at Hammarby in Sweden, and it was what he was brought in to do. Despite his extremely confident persona, he admits there were some early questions about whether he could implement it in the Championship in such a short space of time.
"I was confident over time, but of course there were doubts," Hellberg says. "It's my first job abroad after 14 years of coaching in Sweden. You question yourself. How quickly can I get the message through? How much can we change, and how fast?
"My philosophy has always been to be progressive - to take control of the game, win the ball back quickly, play with quality and believe in ourselves rather than relying on opponents' mistakes. That has been clear from day one.
"The style has developed over the years depending on players and circumstances, and it continues to evolve. Coming to a different country, league and language brings challenges, but it's been an exciting one."
It has been a remarkably successful first few months in England. Hellberg has turned heads and there is only more to come as we approach the promotion run-in with Boro second in the table.
"I'm very happy with the way we've played and performed, and with how the players have developed during my time here and taken steps forward," he says.
"I have an amazing group to work with. Over these games, we've been progressing, and I've enjoyed working with them every day.
"They're doing unbelievable things on the pitch, and of course that makes me very happy."
Hellberg and Boro will be hoping for more joy to come between now and May, with a return to the Premier League after nine years away a real possibility.
