Nothing lasts forever, yet it feels strange that Kjetil Knutsen, who like national team manager Ståle Solbakken for Norway, has created football history we will never forget. Bodø/Glimt’s ravages on the continent in the Champions League last season have opened the eyes of many sporting directors.
Kjetil Knutsen has been cautiously mentioned in connection with several Championship clubs in recent years, but it has always stopped at a lack of interest from Knutsen himself. – Now after almost ten years in the Norwegian football capital, it may be time to find something new to do.
I still think it makes sense to bring in Kjetil Knutsen as the new national team manager on the day Ståle Solbakken chooses to move on.
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Casualties
Last season, Bodø/Glimt “gave” the Eliteserien gold to Viking and this year they are also a little behind. However, the timing is a bit strange, just over a week ago came the news that coach Gaute Helstrup, who was seen as the crown prince of the club, left to take over Allsvenskan club Malmö. – Aasmund Bjørkan has also been in Bodø/Glimt for several decades, both as a player, coach, scout and more, he is leaving the club.
Bodø/Glimt is a success, a lot is said about the work that is done when as many as four from Bodø locals are at the World Cup for Norway. Patrick Berg (28), Andreas Schjelderup (21), Fredrik Bjørkan (27) and Jens Petter Hauge (26). – Norway will face England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
The goal is the Champions League, which in Ligue 1 means the top three and not four like the other big leagues.
Kjetil Knutsen could be on his way to French football. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the 57-year-old is in advanced talks with Ligue 1 club Strasbourg.
The Norwegian coach has for a number of years impressed greatly with Bodø/Glimt – with league gold, cup gold, and advancement far in the Europa Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. Now it may finally be the turn of one of Europe’s top leagues.
Strasbourg, which is owned by the same group as Chelsea, has reportedly had Knutsen on their radar in the past. Now the Norwegian will be one of the final candidates to replace Gary O’Neil, who recently left the club for Ipswich – newcomer to the Premier League.
Strasbourg is also considering former Columbus and Celtic coach Wilfried Nancy as an option.
Strasbourg finished eighth in the French top division this season – and with Knutsen at the helm, they are hoping for a boost.
Kjetil Knutsen’s merits in Glimt
Knutsen joined Glimt as an assistant in 2017, and took over as head coach before the 2018 season. Since then, he has won four league golds and one cup gold with the northerners.
At the top of Europe, he has taken Glimt to the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2025 – and to the last eight of the Champions League this year, after knocking out Inter 5-2 on aggregate. Now the trip can go to France.
These results have ensured that there is money in the club to build a new stadium.
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Bad luck with managers
Strasbourg lost Gary O’Neil to Ipswich after just 27 games and before that Liam Rosenior who had a short stay at Chelsea before being sacked. (before that again Patrick Vieira who couldn’t get anything to work)
