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Why Bodo/Glimt miracle worker might appeal to Celtic

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Why Bodo/Glimt miracle worker might appeal to Celtic

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

When Celtic's heavily-rotated side fell 2-0 to Bodo/Glimt in February 2022, sealing a humbling 5-1 aggregate Conference League exit, many dismissed it as Ange Postecoglou strategically prioritizing his Scottish Premiership campaign—a bet that paid off with domestic glory. Yet that very defeat introduced Celtic's board to a tactical architect whose project in Norway's Arctic Circle has become European football's most compelling analytics case study: Kjetil Knutsen.The 57-year-old's 68% win rate over five seasons isn't just a statistic; it's the engine behind Glimt's four league titles in that span—the only championships in their 109-year history—achieved with a turnover reportedly smaller than Celtic's signing of Arne Engels. Knutsen’s philosophy mirrors Barcelona’s possession-dominance era, averaging the highest possession in four of those five seasons while outscoring every domestic rival.Defensively, his gegenpress-inspired system sees Glimt lead the Eliteserien in final-third regains this term, a metric that would make Jurgen Klopp nod in approval. Their 8,000-capacity Aspmyra Stadium—smaller than Livingston’s ground—became a fortress where Roma, Besiktas, and Porto were systematically dismantled, culminating in a historic Europa League semi-final run last season.Knutsen’s lack of a professional playing career echoes the rise of managers like Arrigo Sacchi, proving tactical innovation trumps pedigree. For Celtic, a club craving domestic supremacy fused with European relevance, Knutsen represents a data-driven visionary who transforms limited resources into relentless output.His contract expiry this month, paired with Glimt’s upcoming Champions League fixtures against Juventus and Manchester City, creates a tantalizing inflection point. As former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk notes, Knutsen possesses “all the qualifications to succeed” in Glasgow, but the leap from overachieving underdog to institution demands navigating a cyclone of expectations. Would trading Bodø’s northern lights for Celtic Park’s roaring stands be “more exciting,” as Knutsen cryptically mused? For a board seeking Postecoglou’s heir, the answer might lie in a manager whose miracles are rooted not in budget, but in brilliance.

#Kjetil Knutsen

#Celtic

#manager search

#Bodo/Glimt

#football management

#European football

#hottest news

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