Hammarby IF sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg has admitted the club cannot compete with Championship teams as Middlesbrough close in on appointing Kim Hellberg as Rob Edwards' successor.

The club's search to appoint a new manager is coming to an end, with reports from Sweden claiming Boro have 'verbally agreed' a deal for Hellberg after the Riverside club triggered a three million kronor (£240,600) release clause.

While Hjelmberg revealed that a new contract had been offered to the 37-year-old in an attempt to keep him at the club, he admitted it is difficult to compete with English teams.

"Yes, we have offered him a contract that's extremely good by Swedish standards," Hjelmberg explained .

"We had an ongoing dialogue with Kim for quite some time.

"It has obviously not res

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