How Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg really feels about replacing Southampton in play-off final | OneFootball

The Swede has been speaking out about the Saints ahead of Boro's clash with Hull City.

Kim Hellberg is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, and that is one of the main reasons why he is thought of so fondly at Middlesbrough.

After Boro's defeat to Southampton over two legs in the Championship play-off semi-finals, the Swede said he was heartbroken by his opponent's decision to spy on his training session, highlighting the hours he committed away from his family.

Events have obviously taken a turn since then, as the Teesside outfit replaced Saints in the play-off final after Tonda Eckert's side were found guilty of spying on three offences.

But just how does Hellberg feel about replacing his rivals to face Hull City at Wembley Stadium?

Kim Hellberg shares feelings towards Southampton fans and players

Hellberg had every right to feel negatively towards the Saints after what transpired in Spygate, but he will surely believe in karma after what has happened since.

Some have said that expelling Southampton from the play-offs was harsh, but it does set a strong precedent for those who want to gain an unfair advantage in the future.

Boro's boss would have had time to reflect on what has happened before speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's play-off final, and he has spoken as classily as many would have predicted.

"I have a lot of sympathy for [Saints] supporters who booked tickets, thinking they were going to Wembley," he said via Daily Echo journalist George Rees-Julian.

"There is a lot of sympathy for different things (including Saints players)."

Hellberg was keen to pick out Southampton's players and fans, who played no part in the spying drama and will understandably be reeling at the situation.

However, the 38-year-old did not mention Eckert or his coaching staff, which tells a story in itself.

What are Middlesbrough's chances against Hull City in the play-off final?

Given that Boro finished one position and seven points above the Tigers in the table, they will enter the clash as favourites, which is ironic given they were only reinstated days ago.

However, anyone affiliated with the Teesside club will know that they have not fared well at Wembley Stadium in the play-offs, and they will need to buck the trend if they are to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough have lost all four of their play-off finals at the home of football, with just one of them taking place at the new Wembley, having been defeated by Chelsea, Notts County, Charlton Athletic and Norwich City.

Their last triumph at the stadium was in 2004 when Steve McClaren's side defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1, thanks to goals from Joseph-Désiré Job and Bolo Zenden.

As for Hull, they have a much better record in HA9, having won both of their play-off final outings, against Bristol City in 2008 and Sheffield Wednesday in 2018.

The two sides met twice in December, with Boro battering Sergej Jakirović's side 4-1 away from home before they were defeated 2-1 on home soil.

Understandably, preparations have been turbulent for both sides, with the Tigers unaware of who their opponents were going to be for some time, while Middlesbrough have been doing the Hokey Cokey.