Hellberg is a hugely popular figure in the Hammarby dressing room having led the side to successive second place finishes in the Allsvenskan.

But the Swedish club’s players have long known that it was only a matter of time until Hellberg moved on.

Swansea wanted the 37-year-old at the end of last season, and although Hammarby managed to hold on on that occasion – with the Swans instead appointing Alan Sheehan on a permanent basis at that stage – even the club’s sporting director admits he’s had plans in place for the head coach’s exit.

That will be confirmed in the coming days, with Hellberg set to take charge of Boro. Formal confirmation is likely to come early next week. Hellberg will be joined at the Riverside by assistant David Selini.

And while Hammarby’s players are obviously disappointed to see him go, Besara says he will leave with full backing from the dressing room.

He said: “I see him as a friend, not just as a football coach. If this is the best thing for his career, I’ll support him.

“We have a good connection, and we’ve been talking quite often now too.”

The midfielder added: “Of course, I would like to have Kim in Hammarby for the rest of his life. But sooner or later, when he is doing so well, this would happen.

“He’s a friend of mine and we have talked about everything. Our families have become close to each other and everything. Of course I will miss him.”

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Hammarby’s sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg said: “It is no secret that we have planned for a future without Kim, even if nothing is formally clear. In our thoughts and in our planning, we have prepared for a future without Kim.”

Boro have been on the search for a new head coach since Rob Edwards walked out to join Wolves at the start of last week.

The Championship club spoke to candidates in the days that followed, with Hellberg then emerging as the stand-out frontrunner after impressing club officials when they met for talks in London.

Adi Viveash – who will stay at the club and be part of Hellberg’s coaching team – will lead Boro against Oxford this weekend. Viveash is speaking to the media at Rockliffe this afternoon.