Swansea City hold talks with 37-year-old manager after Alan Sheehan sacking | OneFootball

Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg is believed to be a candidate for the Swansea City job, with informal talks already taking place.

Hammarby head coach Kim Hellberg is reportedly a contender for the vacant Swansea City job following the sacking of Alan Sheehan.

That's according to Wales Online, who claim that Sheehan is one of the early names in the frame to replace Sheehan, with Swansea already said to have held "informal talks" with the 37-year-old.

After an impressive caretaker spell in the second half of last season following the sacking of Luke Williams in February, the Swans handed Sheehan the permanent job in April, with the Irishman putting pen to paper on a three-year contract at the Swansea.com Stadium.

However, despite the arrival of some high-profile signings this summer, including the likes of Cameron Burgess, Ethan Galbraith, Zediane Inoussa and Adam Idah, Sheehan was unable to build on his strong temporary stint, and he was sacked on Tuesday after his side won just four of their opening 15 games of the season.

Sheehan's final game in charge of Swansea was the 4-1 defeat at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday, and he departs with the club sitting 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

In a statement on their official website, the Swans confirmed that "the process to appoint a new head coach is already under way", and it seems they may be set to turn back to a previous candidate in Hellberg as they begin the search for Sheehan's successor.

Kim Hellberg in the frame for Swansea City job after Alan Sheehan exit

Hellberg has spent his entire managerial career so far in his native Sweden, and he has been in charge of Hammarby since December 2023 when he replaced current Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes following his move to Queens Park Rangers.

Hammarby have achieved two second-placed finishes in the Allsvenskan during Hellberg's two seasons in charge, but despite missing out on the title to minnows Mjallby this campaign, they did at least secure their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

In total, Hellberg has won 41, drawn 15 and lost 17 of his 73 games in charge of Hammarby, giving him a win percentage of 56.2%, but with the Swedish top flight season now concluded, he may be set to depart for his first experience of English football with Swansea.

Hellberg was under consideration for the Swans job after Williams' exit earlier this year, and he is believed to have impressed the club's hierarchy, but the outstanding form towards the end of the season under Sheehan earned him the permanent role.

Despite failing to secure the post last time around, Hellberg is said to have kept tabs on events in South Wales in recent months, and he is already believed to have held initial discussions with Swansea after Sheehan's dismissal, although a deal is not thought to be imminent.

Swansea City board facing huge managerial call after failed Alan Sheehan gamble

While the decision to appoint Sheehan permanently was understandable after his strong caretaker stint, it was a gamble that backfired spectacularly, and as well as supporters turning on the now former head coach, the Swansea board have also come in for plenty of criticism this season.

With that in mind, the Swans hierarchy can ill-afford to make another mistake with the next appointment, and while Hellberg has built up a strong coaching reputation during his time in charge of Varnamo and Hammarby, he would be another risky choice given his lack of Championship experience.

However, it seems Hellberg has been on the radar of English clubs for some time, with Sunderland said to have been keen on the Swede back in 2023, in addition to Swansea's interest last season, so he could prove to be an exciting appointment if he lands the job at the second time of asking.