GiveMeSport does not hold back in its description of Bodø/Glimt’s head coach Kjetil Knutsen when he has started what seems like a campaign with the goal of bringing him in as manager of Celtic. – They are not alone in talking about the Norwegian coach in important roles, but after the historic qualification for the Champions League, the references have come more often and with greater weight.
Forget O’Neill! Celtic must hire the “magnificent” Kjetil Knutsen
Celtic have had a turbulent start to the season, to say the least. The Scottish giants saw manager Brendan Rodgers retire just three months into the season, and saw a familiar return to the coaching bench in Martin O’Neill.
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The Hoops, who appointed the 73-year-old as interim boss last month, have had varying results since taking over at Parkhead. The team has won three of their first four games, including a 3-1 loss to Danish club Midtjylland in the Europa League last week.
Although they secured another convincing 4-0 win over Kilmarnock in the league on Sunday, Celtic are forced to chase league leaders Hearts, who currently lead by seven points at the top of the table.
Although Celtic have one game less played that could close the gap, their lack of consistency has cast doubt on their chances of winning the league this year, and a new man on the coaching bench could be just what Celtic need to restore stability and fight their way back to the top.
Celtic must hire Kjetil Knutsen to replace O’Neill
Celtic have been linked with a number of potential long-term replacements for O’Neill in recent days, but one name stands out: Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen.
The 47-year-old is a series winner – he led the Norwegian team to four league championships in the last five seasons and is aiming for his fifth, as Bodø/Glimt are currently in second place in the Eliteserien.
Knutsen has never coached a team outside his home country – he started his coaching career at the fifth level in Norwegian football in 1995 and has worked his way up to the Champions League 30 years later.
After beating Austrian side Sturm Graz in qualifying, Bodø/Glimt are taking part in the prestigious European competition for the first time in the club’s history this season, and have already taken points from serious opposition.
The Norwegian team drew 2-2 with both Tottenham and Slavia Prague, and suffered defeats against Monaco and Galatasaray in the first two rounds.
Knutsen, who was named Coach of the Year in the Eliteserien three years in a row from 2019 to 2021, proves this season that he deserves a chance to take his talents elsewhere, after he has transformed Bodø/Glimt into a dominant force in Norway.
GMS believes it is a perfect opportunity for Celtic to sign the “magnificent” tactician.
Yesterday, Bodø/Glimt won 5 – 0 over Bryne in what will be an exciting final spurt against Viking in the Eliteserien.
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