Who is Kjetil Knutsen, Bodo/Glimt’s manager causing a stir again in the Champions League?

Bodø/Glimt’s 2-1 win at the San Siro, sealing a 5-2 aggregate victory over Inter, ranks among the most startling Champions League upsets in recent memory. A club from a town of roughly 50,000 people eliminated a European heavyweight whose squad is valued at about $787 million. By comparison, Bodø/Glimt’s roster is worth close to $67 million.

At the center of it all is Kjetil Knutsen, the 57-year-old manager who has spent three decades refining a clear footballing identity.

Kjetil Knutsen: from Bergen beginnings to UCL shocks

Born in Bergen in 1968, Knutsen began coaching in 1995 and took charge of Bodø/Glimt in 2018. Since then, he has delivered four Eliteserien titles, beginning with the club’s first ever championship in 2020.

European progress has followed. A Europa League semi final last season signaled their arrival on the continental stage. Eliminating Inter marks the first time Bodø/Glimt have won a knockout tie in the Champions League.

The financial disparity underlines the magnitude of the achievement. The gap between the two squads is roughly $720 million, one of the largest mismatches ever overcome in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

A possession driven 4-3-3 with precision

Knutsen’s system, as assessed by the Coaches’ Voice at the start of the campaign, is built around a consistent 4-3-3. His teams dominate the ball, often averaging above 60 percent possession domestically. Full backs stretch the field, midfielders rotate intelligently, and the single pivot anchors build-up play.

The two number eights are central to the fluidity. One frequently drops to assist circulation, while the other times forward runs to break lines. Wingers attack defenders directly, not always to beat them outright but to draw opponents out of shape and create openings for combination play.

In the final third, Bodø/Glimt commit numbers aggressively. It is common to see five players occupying central attacking lanes, overwhelming compact defenses through coordinated movement rather than sheer star power.

Discipline and adaptability on Europe’s stage

Out of possession, the press shifts depending on the opponent. Sometimes the front three force play wide. In other moments, the shape compresses centrally to create traps and deny access through midfield.

Variations kick-in depending on opponent and conditions, but the methodology has been clear.

Inter manager Cristian Chivu admitted his side lost energy and struggled to break down Bodø/Glimt’s compact structure. That tactical discipline, paired with composure in transition, has become Knutsen’s European signature.

Next up could be Manchester City or Sporting in the round of 16. The draw is on Friday. For a club north of the Arctic Circle, the stage keeps getting bigger.

Under Knutsen, that is exactly where Bodø/Glimt believe they belong.

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