Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg says the latest reports linking him to Crystal Palace is a sign that he has done well with the Championship side.
Pierre Sage arrived at Selhurst Park in the summer after Oliver Glasner stepped down at the end of last season.
The Frenchman’s position is under threat after the Eagle’s poor run this season, and the Middlesbrough boss is reportedly in contention to replace him.
Crystal Palace have five wins in 16 matches under Sage, and it includes two wins in 10 Premier League matches. The poor run in the league has seen them sit at the bottom of the table.
Hellberg on Crystal Palace links
The UEFA Conference League winners will show Pierre Sage the exit door. The French press mentioned Lyon as an option, but that door has already been closed for Sage.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are already looking at options, and the British press stated the Middlesbrough boss as a target.
Kim Hellberg took advantage of the international break to give a detailed interview to Fotbollskanalen‘s Bollklubben. The hosts asked the Swede about the latest reports linking him to the Crystal Palace job.
The Middlesbrough manager is happy about these links while he remains focused on his role at Boro.
“Absolutely nothing, absolutely nothing. It’s always nice to be on lists like that, if that’s the case – it shows you’ve done something right. But I think it’s mostly just talk, and for me it’s all about doing a good job here,” he said.
Crystal Palace target focusing on Boro
The Championship side appointed the 38-year-old as their manager in November 2025. This season, they have lost three of the 18 matches in all competitions.
Middlesbrough are second in the table, level on points with leaders Birmingham City and third placed Stoke City. Kim Hellberg wants to continue at the Riverside Stadium as there’s a good chance of securing a direct promotion to the Premier League.
Hellberg explained: “We actually have a chance to get promoted this year. We feel that there is a chance, but then it’s clear that it will be difficult.”
“We are one of five, six teams, maybe not the biggest favourites, but behind them I think we have a good chance. My focus is here and hopefully we can get up, that would have been fantastic of course.”
Unhappy with recent form
The manager isn’t happy that Boro picked up only a point in the last two Championship matches against Watford and Wrexham.
“A lot of matches in a short time. Now a break awaits where there is time to work on some parts and also take the opportunity to have a little free time,” he concluded.
“Then we drive to the next national team break in March with matches over Christmas and everything. An intense period, with a lot of matches and it’s fun.”
“But we are disappointed, especially with the last match where we played quite well. It was 11 in a row without a loss. That was some kind of club record for a long time and in this league, it is very difficult. Then we put in a really bad performance against Wrexham where we were not good at all, and could have responded in the last game but unfortunately, we couldn’t win.”
