HENRIK LARSSON has returned to the club where his heart lies to take over as manager.

Within hours of quitting as boss of Falkenbergs, the Swedish striker was unveiled as the new No.1 at Helsingborgs.

Larsson started and ended his senior career in Helsingborg - where a statue of him has been erected - and has never hidden his desire to get involved there again.

His son Jordan now plays for Helsingborgs, and Larsson senior can't wait to get to work with the 17-year-old and the rest of the squad.

He said: "I'd no hesitation once I was offered the job. I was asked a few days ago and things have moved fast.

"There is a lot of work to be done at the club. But I know what is needed, and I am looking forward to getting started."

Having kept Falkenbergs up in his first season in charge of the Swedish minnows, Larsson had been tipped to take over the vacancy at IFK Gothenburg.

But after coach Roar Hansen was switched to the position of strategic football adviser, Helsingborgs made their move. The news will disappoint Celtic fans who still hold out hope the man they dubbed King of Kings during his seven successful seasons at Parkhead would be returning to Paradise when he considered his time at Falkenbergs to be over.

The Hoops made an approach to him after Neil Lennon resigned at the end of last season.

But Larsson was still under contract at Falkenbergs, and made it clear that he had no intention of walking out on them at that time.

Now that the Swedish season is over, the 43- year-old has rejected the offer to sign a new deal with Falkenbergs, and has retraced his steps to Helsingborgs.