Kjetil Knutsen reacts soberly to Ajax’s interest in him. The trainer of FK Bodø/Glimt goes to the Norwegian newspaper Avisa Nordland for the first time in a possible transfer to the Netherlands. “We will play in the cup on Thursday, so I will not go to Amsterdam for the time being,” says Knutsen.
The Telegraph revealed on Monday evening that in addition to Knutsen, the Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand is also at the top of the wish list to succeed John Heitinga. The news spread like wildfire, also in Norway. “I made a frantic effort to read it, but I couldn’t get around to it because of all the messages I received. Then I realized something was going on, without me doing much with it.”
Ajax has followed TV2 not yet reported to Bodø/Glimt, but the Norwegian TV channel does confirm the news that Knutsen is very concretely in the picture in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The coach doesn’t let all the publicity drive him crazy. “Those who know me know that I’m probably the one who cares the least,” he responds imperturbably.
Knutsen took over the helm at Bodø/Glimt in 2018, which was a low flyer in Norwegian football at the time. Under the successful coach, the club made an unlikely advance, which led to two national titles and two second places. Knutsen plays very offensive football with Bodø and achieved international fame in 2021. Then AS Roma was beaten 6-1 in the group stage of the Conference League.