Swedish coach due for Sunderland talks this week - report

IFK Värnamo coach Kim Hellberg is hold talks with Sunderland on Thursday, according to Swedish outlet Sportbladet.

Hellberg was expected to take over at Hammarby, who have been without a coach since Marti Cifuentes joined QPR last month.

However, Swedish journalist Daniel Kristoffersson claims Sunderland have now stolen a march on the Swedish club, with a meeting planned later this week about potentially replacing Tony Mowbray.

The Swedish season wrapped up in November and IFK Värnamo finished fifth under Hellberg, but he quickly confirmed afterwards that he would be moving on following the expiration of his contract – and a move abroad would appeal to him.

“I was in contact with Enes Ahmetovic (Värnamo sporting director) and had an open dialogue the whole time,” Hellberg said.