Kim Hellberg makes claim about ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa after Middlesbrough arrival | OneFootball

The new Boro boss has opened up on his managerial influences

New Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has named a former Leeds United boss as one of his main coaching inspirations.

Boro enjoyed a flying start to the 2025/26 campaign under Rob Edwards, winning five of their first six Championship matches to become the division’s early pace setters.

Frank Lampard’s Coventry City side has since clicked into gear to surpass the North East outfit, but Middlesbrough still looked capable of fighting for automatic promotion with Edwards.

That was until he departed for Premier League outfit Wolves, forcing Boro back into the managerial market. Kim Hellberg, who looked set to become Swansea City boss, was acquired by Middlesbrough for what is his first role in English football.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg opens up on Marcelo Bielsa influence

The Swede is set to take charge of his first clash as Boro boss against Derby County this weekend and when speaking in the build-up to that encounter, has revealed one of his main managerial influences.

Hellberg named none other than former Argentina, Athletic Club and current Uruguay manager, Marcelo Bielsa.

The 70-year-old is best known in the English game for guiding Leeds United back to the Premier League by winning the Championship title in 2020, with his touchline antics and unique tactical set-up taking the division by storm.

This evidently had a huge impact on how Hellberg views the game, something the Swedish boss opened up on to TeessideLive.

"A lot of coaches have been in England. Bielsa is one I take inspiration from and (Roberto) de Zerbi is another one and (Pep) Guardiola," revealed Hellberg.

"Of course, it's a big step. In Sweden where I grew up, English football is what I watched all the time.

"It has always been a dream to come here. I worked very hard for 14 years to get here coaching and feel like I am prepared.

"There haven't been many Swedish coaches in England, so, of course, it's a proud moment."

Kim Hellberg will hope to replicate Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship success

Hellberg has taken over one of the most enticing jobs in the EFL at this moment in time, as he has been given the opportunity to lead forward a Championship club chasing promotion that possesses a squad filled to the brim with talent.

With that comes a great deal of pressure to perform and with the second-tier so tightly compact from second downwards, a series of defeats could see Boro drop even outside of the play-off places.

Hellberg will be confident he can avoid this fate and use the example of Bielsa to guide him forward. The Argentinian boss managed to implement his bold ideas on a Leeds United side that had repeatedly failed to challenge for promotion, and ultimately brought top-flight football back to Elland Road.

If the Swede can get anywhere close to that level of success, he will have done a fine job at the Riverside, proving that his appointment was the correct choice. Boro certainly have the talent within their ranks and proved under Edwards at the start of the season that they can put a solid run of victories together.

Only time will tell how Hellberg’s stint as Middlesbrough manager will play out, but Bielsa-esque performances may soon win supporters over.