Hellberg has 'outstanding' chance at the Boro as Smith not worried by appointment

TOMMY Smith believes Kim Hellberg has an outstanding opportunity at Middlesbrough, believing there’s enough at Boro to alleviate the risk factor of the appointment.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Boro are set to appoint the Swede as their new head coach, succeeding Rob Edwards, who made the shock decision to leave for Wolves just four months after his appointment at the Riverside. There’s a heightened element of risk in the appointment, given Hellberg’s lack of English football experience.

Smith, who was recently appointed as the club's first Loans Manager, was quizzed about the situation at the club, with his behind-the-scenes _ perspective. And while he couldn't directly discuss Hellberg due to him not yet being officially appointed, he was able to discuss more broadly the remit that he will have when he does take the reins on Teesside.

Smith told the 72+ EFL Pod: “Ultimately, for whatever has happened with Rob over the last week or so, he’s put the club in a great position and made this a great job for someone to walk into. The next step is building on that and, ultimately, winning more football matche:

“A lot of clubs and teams are so obsessed with all the other bits that come with it - xG, possession, passes, all that type of stuff. But ultimately, if you're not winning football matches, you know what's coming. You only have to look at Southampton who, for all they've dominated the majority of their games, have sacked their manager.