Kim Hellberg drops new claim that must excite Middlesbrough fans | OneFootball

Kim Hellberg's recent interview with the BBC will only serve to excite Middlesbrough fans

Middlesbrough took advantage of Ipswich Town's slip-up on Sunday to go five points ahead of Kieran McKenna's side after a resounding 4-0 win at QPR.

It marked the 12th win in 19 Championship games under Kim Hellberg, and increased their grip on second heading into the final 10 games of the campaign.

It's been a remarkable few months at the Riverside since the Swedish boss came in, as a club that seemed likely to fade away from a title challenge under Rob Edwards has been one of the most exciting, intense sides to watch, and one of the best Boro outfits in the past decade.

Indeed, their fourth four-goal haul under Hellberg has Middlesbrough fans starting to properly believe that a return to the Premier League after nine years away could be on the cards. And, according to their manager's own admission, they're only just getting started.

Kim Hellberg delivers bold statement about his second season in charge at Middlesbrough

There's no doubt that Kim Hellberg will be at Middlesbrough next season, especially if Boro get over the line in the final 10 games and secure that Premier League return.

Whether they're in the top flight or still in the Championship, though, Hellberg stated on BBC Teeside that every team he's managed has improved in his second season in charge, which is a cause for excitement at the Riverside, especially given how well they've performed in his first half-year.

"Every team I've had has always been better in the second year than in the first year," he said.

"I think that comes from how I work and how I want to develop all the time. I could never be in a team that just parks the bus, or plays for set plays and takes time off the clock. I wouldn't be a good coach in that type of team. It would eat me up!

"So for me, how I work, how we play, is the number one, because I know that is the thing that will give me results over time."

Kim Hellberg and Middlesbrough will be given a huge test next season if Premier League football arrives

Currently, Middlesbrough are being treated to some of the most attractive football that their club has seen in a long time, and plenty of neutrals are intrigued to see how the patented 'Hell-ball' pans out in the Premier League if Boro get there this season.

Ultimately, though, and especially recently, we've seen how effective it can be as a newly-promoted side in the top flight to play a lot without the ball, while teams that try and do the opposite often suffer immediate relegation.

Kim Hellberg won't want to conform to what we've seen from the likes of Leeds United and Sunderland this season, and he'll want his Middlesbrough side to enter the Premier League with no fear and play the attractive style of football that would have got his side up there.

And, if his admission proves to be true, then we could be preparing for a Boro side that could be even better than the one this year and stick around in the top flight for years to come.

That's all dependent on the outcome of this season, though. The full focus is now on the last 10 games, where their destiny is in their hands.