Ipswich Town’s promotion rivals Middlesbrough have confirmed Kim Hellberg as their new head coach.

Boro were pushing near the top of the Championship when Rob Edwards opted to depart earlier this month, choosing to take charge of Premier League strugglers Wolves and return to the club where he started his playing career. His exit angered supporters and triggered a swift managerial search, with former Ipswich favourite Tony Mowbray among those briefly linked.

Ultimately, the Teessiders turned to Hellberg, who had been in talks to join Swansea City after impressing with Hammarby in Sweden. Middlesbrough moved quickly to secure his signature, persuading the 37-year-old to make the switch to England instead. He brings trusted assistant David Selini with him, and the pair will work alongside Adi Viveash on the coaching staff.

Viveash will remain in charge for Boro’s match against Coventry City tomorrow, with Hellberg set to meet the squad for the first time today. Middlesbrough, currently sitting second in the table and recent 2-1 winners over Ipswich at the Riverside, are due to visit Portman Road in April.

Swansea have since moved on with their own appointment, naming Maritimo manager Vitor Matos as their new boss after triggering his release clause. Matos previously worked at Liverpool as an elite development coach from 2019, later following Pepijn Lijnders to RB Salzburg. He now takes on his first Championship job after earning praise for his work in Portugal’s second tier.