Celtic Eyes Kjetil Knutsen as Potential Replacement for Brendan Rodgers
The success of Ange Postecoglou's tenure at Celtic was marked by domestic dominance, yet one European result seemed to be overlooked during his two-year reign.
In February 2022, a heavily rotated Celtic squad was eliminated from the inaugural Conference League by Bodo/Glimt, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the Norwegian club's 8,000-capacity stadium, resulting in a humbling 5-1 aggregate exit.
After a 3-1 loss at Celtic Park in the first leg of the knockout play-off, Postecoglou appeared to prioritize his debut season in the Scottish Premiership, ultimately leading the team to the 2021-22 league title, one of five domestic honors he secured in 24 months at the club.
Meanwhile, the man responsible for orchestrating Postecoglou's early European exit, Kjetil Knutsen, has demonstrated the ability to achieve domestic success while also excelling on the continental stage.
Consequently, Celtic's board is reportedly considering Knutsen, who is currently achieving remarkable success at Bodo/Glimt, as a potential replacement for Brendan Rodgers. Knutsen is said to be on a shortlist that includes Wilfried Nancy of Columbus Crew and Kieran McKenna, manager of Ipswich Town. But what is the story behind his extraordinary ascent?
The tale of Knutsen and Bodo/Glimt is not shaped by significant financial backing. In the year they won their first league title in 2020, the club's turnover was less than the fee Celtic reportedly paid for Arne Engels. Their stadium is smaller than that of Livingston, and you could fit Bodo's population of approximately 50,000 into Celtic Park.
Despite these limitations, Bodo/Glimt reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, where they were defeated by Tottenham, who went on to win the tournament. This achievement made them the first Norwegian team to reach the last four of a major European competition.
They have secured four of the last five Norwegian titles, finishing second in the one season that stands apart. Currently, they are competing for a fifth top-tier crown, just a point off the lead with two games remaining, while also participating in the league phase of the Champions League for the first time.
In many respects, Bodo/Glimt embodies the aspirations of Celtic fans: a team that is dominant domestically, overachieving in Europe, with a thriving academy that sells players for significant fees while making astute signings.
This remarkable rise over the past five years has been guided by Knutsen, who began his coaching career in Norway's fifth tier with TIL Hovding. He subsequently managed at Fyllingsdalen and Asane before being promoted from assistant coach at Bodo/Glimt in 2018, shortly after the club's return to the top flight.
During his six years in charge, Knutsen has claimed notable scalps in UEFA competitions, including victories against Roma, Besiktas, Porto, and Lazio, achieving a Conference League quarter-final, a Europa League semi-final, and qualification for the Champions League.
Domestically, he boasts a win percentage of 68% over the past five seasons, leading Bodo/Glimt to the only four titles in the club's 109-year history. They have outscored every team in their division and averaged the most possession in four of those five seasons. Defensively, they have conceded the fewest goals in three of those seasons and are currently the top team in winning the ball back in the final third.
The statistics illustrate that Knutsen is a manager capable of implementing a possession-based style that delivers intensity, goals, and, crucially, results.
As Celtic's hierarchy searched for a replacement for Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk remarked that Knutsen had "all the qualifications to become a success" in Glasgow. His profile has only grown since then, with increasing links to Premier League clubs.
Some have questioned why Knutsen, whose contract is set to expire at the end of Glimt's current campaign, has not yet made the move to a larger club. "It depends on the conditions he would work under, and he's in no hurry to leave," Brattbakk noted in 2023.
How Knutsen would adapt to a club with significantly higher expectations and stature remains a pertinent question. He is accustomed to speculation and addressed his future amid reports of Celtic's interest, stating, "Nothing is certain in life. I'm here now and I'm happy. It is pointless to comment on other clubs. It should be something that is more exciting than Glimt."
Following the conclusion of their league campaign later this month, Bodo/Glimt still have four Champions League fixtures scheduled against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid, which certainly sounds quite exciting. Whether a potential move to Glasgow would be more appealing remains to be seen.