EFL pundit claims Middlesbrough job is 'better' than Swansea City as Kim Hellberg announcement looms | OneFootball

Sam Parkin has outlined why Middlesbrough are a better prospect for Kim Hellberg than Swansea City

Former EFL footballer Sam Parkin has claimed that the Middlesbrough job is more appealing right now than the Swansea City gig amid Kim Hellberg’s impending appointment.

It has been reported that the Swede is closing in on the move to the Riverside to replace Rob Edwards, who departed for Wolves earlier this month.

The 37-year-old was originally linked with a move to the Swans, but he is now set to take over the Teesside outfit instead.

Swansea are searching for a replacement for Alan Sheehan, who was sacked at the start of the international break following the team’s 4-1 loss to Ipswich Town.

Hellberg has impressed many with his work with Swedish side Hammarby IF, having led them to a second place finish in the Allsvenskan season, which concluded earlier this month.

Middlesbrough are a better prospect than Swansea right now

Parkin has claimed that Middlesbrough are a more appealing prospect for a manager like Hellberg at this moment in time compared to Swansea.

He believes it’s an exciting role, and that he’s looking forward to seeing what the young coach can do at the Riverside, particularly as he is replacing someone in Edwards who was doing good work before putting Boro in a difficult position with his move to Wolves.

“It’s really unfortunate for Middlesbrough, I have sympathy for them in this situation in terms of the scenario that’s been presented to them,” said Parkin, via the What the EFL?! podcast.

“But you would say absolutely that Middlesbrough is a better job right now, currently as we sit, than the Swansea one.

“So, if he is indeed going to be the man there, then it’s a great job for someone to go in.

“I saw that Middlesbrough have brought in Andy Myers [this week], who of course worked with Adi Viveash very successfully in Chelsea’s academy side.

“What a brilliant job to come in [for Hellberg].

“I had a little read on his track record, and what we’re expecting to see from his teams.

“High pressing, the possession-style football, all the buzz phrases you get with a manager who is coming in — not to modernise because I think Middlesbrough were playing pretty good stuff in any case — coming in with a big reputation from abroad.

“It sounds like he ticks a lot of boxes, so really excited to see how he goes.”

Middlesbrough are in contention for promotion to the Premier League this season, with the team occupying second in the table ahead of the return to action this weekend.

A 2-1 win over Birmingham City prior to the international window led to the Teesside outfit climbing back into an automatic promotion position.

Hellberg will only have a couple of days with the team before having to oversee his first game in charge, will come this weekend.

Next up for Middlesbrough is a trip to face Oxford United on 22 November, while Swansea remain managerless ahead of their upcoming clash against Bristol City.

Middlesbrough job is an exciting opportunity for Kim Hellberg

Hellberg has never worked in English football before, so it is a big risk for Middlesbrough to bring him in, and a big departure from their usual managerial appointments.

However, there were a lot of clubs linked with him in recent months, and there’s no denying that there’s a lot of expectation around what he can achieve.

This is an exciting prospect for both him and Boro, as it’s a rare opportunity to take over a team while they’re on a positive trajectory.

If he can maintain the team’s promotion push, and even get them back into the top flight, then he’ll have been proven right in choosing Middlesbrough over Swansea.