Real work starts now as Hellberg prepares for Rams

KIM Hellberg officially started his Middlesbrough head coach role yesterday, as Adi Viveash handed over the reins following Tuesday evening’s defeat to Coventry City.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Viveash led Boro through three games after Rob Edwards’ exit, and will now move back into his assistant head coach role alongside new coach David Selini, to support Boro’s new head coach. His first game in charge comes at the Riverside on Saturday against Derby County.

There's much to do for the 37-year-old head coach between now and then, however, and little time to do it in.

Boro’s players had a scheduled day off yesterday in order to recover and recuperate after the hard-fought Coventry loss. In their absence, Hellberg was due to meet staff at Rockliffe, following on from similar tasks on Tuesday before he was then present at the Riverside to meet supporters and take in the action against the league leaders.

Today will be his first day working with the players as they return to Rockliffe looking to bounce back from their cruel defeat. He'll take his first training session in the morning before attention this afternoon switches to previewing the Derby game and introducing himself in more detail to supporters and the media as he holds his first press conference.

And then, tomorrow will be more training and, as is standard the day before a game, tactical meetings as they set out their final plans for the Derby County game.