Who is Kjetil Knutsen? Style of play, tactics, background & more

Guiding Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt to a Europa League semi-final, it's no surprise to see that Kjetil Knutsen has become a common topic of discussion.

Nearing on seven years for the club, we take an in depth look at the Norwegian manager and analyse what he could bring to a supposed bigger club.

Kjetil Knutsen formation, tactics and style of play

Formation and tactics

Kjetil Knutsen primarily opts for a 4-3-3 setup at Bodo/Glimt.

While by no means are his full-backs restricted from advancing when sensing an opportunity, they commonly provide width in deeper areas, providing solidity and control in build-up.

His midfield three often consists of one defensive midfielder and two more advanced, box-to-box midfielders. The number six is primarily used as a bridge between the defence and midfield during possession, allowing his midfield teammates to occupy more attacking areas in the left and right half-spaces.

With the two eights taking up central areas in support of the striker, the wingers are allowed to provide width on either side, while the centre forward acts as a vocal point.

A simplistic, yet effective system that has taken Bodo/Glimt to four Eliteserien titles since 2020 and a Europa League semi-final.

Style of play

While a 4-3-3 formation may suggest a reluctance to move fluidly, this certainly isn't the case with Knutsen's Bodo/Glimt.

The Norwegian is especially keen on creating numerical advantages where possible, whether this be to beat the press or break down low blocks. A rotation that is present in Knutsen's side consists of either full-back tucking in to form a back three, while the other full-back pushes into midfield.

Not only does this open up different passing angles, but it also means his side can outnumber the opposition in midfield. Should Bodo/Glimt be dispossessed, they are armed with greater number in advanced areas to counter press.

As touched on when analysing Knutsen's preferred formation and tactics, his two more advanced midfielders tend to take up more advanced roles.

While this would point towards the defensive midfielder having to cover large amount of ground individually, Knutsen makes frequent tweaks to ensure this isn't the case.

His back four frequently play a high backline, minimising the distance between the defence and the defensive midfielder. Not only does this take some of the load of the lone number six when defending transitions, but it also allows his side to sustain transitions with ease.

Finding ways to protect his defence whilst ensuring his side are regularly on the front foot, it's no surprise to see Bodo/Glimt performing so well in Europe.

Kjetil Knutsen managerial background and achievements

Previous clubs

Aged 56, Kjetil Knutsen's managerial career started at fifth tier Norwegian club TIL Hovding, initially as a junior coach before being handed the role of head coach.

He would spend nine years at the club, earning two separate promotions in this time, before moving on to Brann to take up the role as head of first team development.

Knutsen would serve respective two year spells as manager for Fyllingsdalen and Asane between 2012 and 2016, ultimately sacked by Asane.

The Norwegian joined Bodo/Glimt as assistant coach under manager Aasmund Bjorkan, before the then head coach moved on to the role of sports director.

Knutsen was handed the role as head coach in 2018, and is now seven years into his spell at the club.

Honours and achievements

While Bodo/Glimt are rapidly emerging as one of Norway's most common competitors in Europe, Kjetil Knutsen was the man to bring the club their first Eliteserien honour in 2020.

Knutsen and Bodo/Glimt would record back-to-back successes in Norway's first division in 2021, trumping Molde to the title by three points.

Molde would prove too strong for Bodo/Glimt in the 2022 campaign, but Knutsen's side would wrap up back-to-back titles for a second time, taking the club's tally to four in 2024.

In Bodo/Glimt's dominant spell, the manager also claimed Eliteserien Coach of the Year on three occasions in 2019, 2020 and 2021.