Shock late Swansea City, Kim Hellberg twist emerges - it could change things | OneFootball

Kim Hellberg is currently in talks with Swansea City over their managerial vacancy, but Hammarby have made a last-ditch attempt to keep hold of him.

Swedish side Hammarby have reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to keep hold of head coach Kim Hellberg amid interest from Swansea City.

Hellberg is currently in London to hold talks with Swansea over their managerial vacancy, but according to Sky Sports, Hammarby have offered the 37-year-old a contract extension on improved terms to convince him to reject the Welsh outfit and remain in Sweden.

The Swans are currently on the search for a new manager after parting company with Alan Sheehan on Tuesday following a disappointing start to the season that saw them win just four of their first 15 league games, and the Irishman departed with the club sitting 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Sheehan was only handed a three-year contract in April following an impressive caretaker spell after the sacking of Luke Williams in February, but after the Swansea board reacted to increasing pressure from supporters to make a managerial change, they are now looking for their third permanent manager of the calendar year.

It looked as though the Swans were closing in on a swift appointment after it emerged that Hellberg had flown to the UK to hold talks over replacing Sheehan, but a late twist in the tale could change the situation.

Hammarby make shock Kim Hellberg contract offer amid Swansea City manager talks

Hellberg has been in charge of Hammarby since December 2023 when he replaced current Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes following his move to Queens Park Rangers, and he has led his side to two consecutive second-placed finishes in the Allsvenskan.

Hammarby missed out on the title to minnows Mjallby this season, but they did at least secure their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, and Hellberg's work with the Swedish top flight side has seen him emerge on Swansea's radar on more than one occasion.

Hellberg was believed to be in the frame for the Swans job after Williams' exit earlier this year, and he is thought to have impressed the club's hierarchy, but the strong form during Sheehan's caretaker spell convinced them to give him the role on a permanent basis.

Following Sheehan's dismissal this week, Hellberg once again emerged as a contender to take over in South Wales, and after he was given permission by Hammarby to fly to London to speak to Swansea, it looked as though he was closing in on the job.

However, despite allowing Hellberg to engage in discussions with the Swans, Hammarby have made a late attempt to keep hold of their head coach by offering him a new and improved contract, and the club's sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg has revealed he is still in contact with the Swede.

"It’s no secret that he is in London. He has kept us updated on everything, so everything is under control there," Hjelmberg told Sky Sports.

"It was nice and good as usual and there are no secrets between us in any case. Kim is doing extremely well in Hammarby, but we also know that he has dreams and ambitions."

Swansea City will have big Kim Hellberg fear after fresh Hammarby update

After Hellberg appeared to emerge as the leading contender to replace Sheehan, many Swansea supporters had reacted positively to the prospect of him taking over as the club's new head coach.

Hellberg has developed a strong managerial reputation in his native Sweden, and as well as twice being linked with the Swans this year, he was said to have been on the radar of Sunderland in 2023, so it looked like simply a matter of time before the Hammarby boss made the move to English football.

Given that Hellberg has flown over to London to hold talks with Swansea, he is clearly interested in the vacancy, and managing in the Championship would be an exciting next step for him in his career, but he now has a huge decision to make after Hammarby's late contract offer.