Exclusive:Brian Deane makes Kim Hellberg claim and delivers Rob Edwards verdict as new Middlesbrough FC era dawns
A new era is dawning at Middlesbrough - and Brian Deane believes the club are looking to the long term.
Owner Steve Gibson could be forgiven for craving some longevity following the abrupt end to Rob Edwards’ Riverside tenure.
Edwards was handed the reins less than five months ago, but is already back in the Premier League plotting a path away from danger for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Reports have suggested Kim Hellberg, currently in charge of Hammarby IF in his native Sweden, will be picking up the baton at Middlesbrough.
Brian Deane’s verdict
Deane, a former England international who represented Middlesbrough between 1998 and 2001, has weighed on the seemingly imminent arrival of Hellberg.
He told The Yorkshire Post: "From the outside in, it looks like Middlesbrough have been burnt a little bit with Rob Edwards.
“I think it was an ideal opportunity for Rob to go and re-establish himself at Middlesbrough. He was obviously doing a very good job to start with.
“They've probably thought they're going to have to take a longer-term view on this, in terms of steadying the ship and bringing in a culture.”
‘Massive opportunity’
Deane has experience of manging out in Scandinavia, having led Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08 between 2012 and 2014.
The 56-year-old, who also represented the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield United as a player, believes Hellberg looks set for a “fantastic opportunity”.
He said: "I managed out in Norway and to come back to a Championship club would've been a big, big job for me. I'm saying to bring a coach in from Sweden, it's a fantastic opportunity.
“If he's a good manager, he will enhance his reputation. It's a fantastic club, with good people running the club.
"It's just a shame because I'm a Rob Edwards fan. He's left for a club that are probably going to struggle to win many games, and probably end up in the Championship.
“Wolves is an amazing club as well but I think if you're building a reputation, I think he'd have had a better chance building a reputation quick at Middlesbrough because everything was in place. Now, he's just going to be firefighting every week."
Brian Deane was speaking to The Yorkshire Post via Casino.org, to help find the fastest payout online casino.