Over the last few days, Celtic have been linked with a long list of managers. Some, we feel, would be good fits for the role, others might not be. But finally, the Hoops have been linked with someone who might be perfect for what the job requires at Parkhead. Now, it remains to be seen if they make a serious push to bring him in or not.
The manager we are talking about is none other than Kjetil Knutsen. He has been at Bodo/Glimt since 2018 and transformed them from relative unknowns to a team to be taken seriously even in the Champions League.
As reported by Sky Sports, Celtic have been tracking Bodo/Glimt’s Knutsen. But convincing him to leave his current club mid-season could prove to be a challenge.
Some of Knutsen’s achievements at Bodo/Glimt have been phenomenal to say the least. And it is only getting better. He has won four league titles with them already and is closing in on a fifth at the moment.
Sky Sports finally confirm Celtic interest in brilliant manager
Of course, Knutsen’s achievements at the domestic level have been brilliant. But it is at the European level that he has made just as big of an impact.
A couple of seasons back, his Bodo/Glimt side made history by reaching the semi-final of the Europa League. They became the first Norwegian team to do so.
Many might assume that the success is a result of Knutsen being at a club where success is expected, as is the case at Celtic. That is not the case for Bodo/Glimt though, who had not won a single league title before him. He also guided them to their debut in the group stage of a major European tournament.
This is the type of manager that Celtic needs to bring in order to solve the problems that they have faced for years now, especially at the European level. Interestingly, Knutsen’s current deal expires at the end of this year. So, if Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney can steer the ship for the next few months, the Hoops could get their man as a free agent.
Under the management of Knutsen, Bodo/Glimt play a high-pressing, forward-moving brand of football that Celtic fans will enjoy. Of course, the Hoops already got a taste of it a few years back when they lost to the Norwegian club in the Conference League.