New Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg cites Leeds United legend Marcelo Bielsa as a coaching inspiration
FORMER Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa is one of the coaching inspirations for new Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg - alongside someone whom he knows a fair bit better.
The Swede, confirmed as Boro's new head coach earlier this week - he takes charge for the first time in Saturday's Championship game with Derby County, has cited his father Stefan, a coach back in Sweden for 35 years, as a huge influence.
Hellberg is the joint second-youngest manager in the second tier alongside new Swansea head coach Vitor Matos and West Brom boss Ryan Mason.
The 37-year-old, who has joined Boro from Hammarby, who have finished as runners-up in the past two years in Sweden's top-flight, said: "A lot of coaches have been in England. Bielsa is one I take inspiration from and (Roberto) de Zerbi is another one and (Pep) Guardiola.
"I look up a lot to my father. He was a coach in Sweden for 35 years. When I was a small kid at the age of five or six, I was on the bus to away games and stuff.
"I tried to be a footballer as a kid, but felt quite early I was not good enough, so it was better to start working towards a coaching career. It was a good decision."
Hellberg, the joint second-youngest manager in the second tier alongside new Swansea head coach Vitor Matos and West Brom boss Ryan Mason, has stressed he is ready for the step up into English football.
He added: "Of course, it's a big step. In Sweden where I grew up, English football is what I watched all the time.
"It has always been a dream to come here. I worked very hard for 14 years to get here coaching and feel like I am prepared.
"There haven't been many Swedish coaches in England, so of course, it's a proud moment."