Kim Helberg: A former teacher who has a Premier League goal with Middlesbrough

Hellberg’s opportunity came at a club called Kemstad in the seventh tier of Swedish football.

He jokes that he was the 12th pick and was put in charge of a team that included some of his best friends.

But proving himself is something Helberg later did consistently during his 15 years in the dugout.

He worked his way up the ranks, dispelled myths about his lack of a successful playing career, and won promotions in the divisions before landing a job in the Swedish top flight, in 2021, with IFK Varnamo.

Not only did he keep the newly promoted club one of the lowest budgets in the league, but he then led them to fifth place the following season.

This caught the attention of Stockholm-based Hammarby, with a bigger budget and more pressure and expectations.

In two successive seasons he finished second, the attractive and fluid possession style that he brought to England bringing him wider interest, and he was on the radar for the vacancy at Swansea City before Boro snapped him up.

But with his biggest accomplishment likely just around the corner, what Helberg is most proud of is how his training and character have allowed him to keep progressing.

“It’s very important to have my perspective because I know where I come from, how hard I’ve worked to be here and I don’t have a playing career,” he said.

“Every player I coached was better than me, even at the lowest levels.

“I gained a lot of confidence because of it. I had to be a good person and a good coach even for myself.” [Swedish fifth-tier] Kuddby players respect me.

“That’s been a good journey for me, as I always come to the club to show that I’m good at this – I’m not here because I was good at playing football.

“I’m here because I’m a good person, a good coach, good at building structure, putting games together and developing players. This gives me confidence in the long road I’m on.”