The Stars of Bodø/Glimt: Knutsen and His Northern Offensive
The Genius from Bergen Who Changed Norwegian Football
Bodø/Glimt’s brightest star is not a player but the man on the touchline. Head coach Kjetil Knutsen, born in Bergen, is the mastermind behind the project and the symbol of this football revolution from beyond the Arctic Circle.
Barely a decade ago, his name was known to few. Knutsen cut his teeth in amateur sides and youth academies, learning how to extract the maximum from players with minimal resources. He joined Glimt first as an assistant and, in 2018, took over as head coach. Just two seasons later, he delivered the club’s first-ever league title—losing only once and dazzling with fast, fearless, attacking football.
Since then came more titles and historic European results, including the unforgettable 6–1 demolition of AS Roma. Knutsen’s philosophy is built on bold, proactive play, relentless pressing, and constant attacking pressure. The key is high intensity, use of the full width, and never allowing opponents to breathe.
Equally crucial is the culture inside the dressing room. Knutsen builds on trust, cohesion, and individual accountability. He believes that when a player feels part of a family, he gives his best. That is why he puts faith in homegrown talent, who carry the club’s identity forward.
Knutsen is more than a tactician—he is also a psychologist. His close personal bond with his players creates a unique family atmosphere, one that draws former stars back, such as Jens Petter Hauge, who returned after stints abroad to once again wear the yellow-and-black shirt.
Kasper Høgh – The Danish Marksman
Signed from Aalborg, Høgh quickly proved to be a perfect fit. A natural finisher with a killer instinct, he was among the league’s top scorers last season and Glimt’s leading attacking weapon in Europe. Twelve goals last year, sixteen already this season—Høgh is clinical, strong in duels, intelligent in movement, and capable of scoring from a single half-chance.
Jens Petter Hauge – The Returning Prodigal
A true Glimt academy product, Hauge broke through with explosive pace and fearlessness. His 14 goals and 10 assists in just 18 matches earned him a transfer to AC Milan. Later, he gained further experience at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. His return home was met with rapture by the fans. A rapid, technically gifted winger, Hauge can beat defenders, create chances, and deliver decisive goals from range or daring runs. On the European stage, he thrives under pressure.
Fredrik Sjøvold – The New Generation
At just 22, this midfielder has emerged as one of Glimt’s brightest prospects. Tireless, combative, and quick to read the game, he may not rack up spectacular numbers, but his contribution in the engine room is invaluable. Knutsen trusts him, and Sjøvold repays that faith with courage and reliability.
Ulrik Saltnes – The Heart of the Team
A one-club man and a symbol of Glimt’s journey, Saltnes embodies loyalty and leadership. Tall, technically assured, and with a knack for crucial goals—his brace against Lazio lives long in fans’ memories—he provides experience and calm when younger teammates need guidance.
Håkon Evjen – The Creative Link
Another academy graduate who ventured abroad, Evjen played in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar and later with Brøndby. Now back in Norway, he offers vision, incisive passing, and the ability to break lines. In Knutsen’s system, Evjen is indispensable, the connective tissue between defense and attack.
Patrick Berg – The Scion of a Footballing Dynasty
Born in Bodø and carrying a family legacy—his father, grandfather, and uncles all played for the club—Patrick Berg is Glimt’s eternal heartbeat. A brief spell at Lens in France aside, he has never strayed far from home. A defensive midfielder of intelligence, grit, and precise distribution, he is both the brain of the team and its captain, the one who rallies his teammates in difficult moments.
Fredrik Bjørkan – The Attacking Fullback
Another homegrown talent who returned after foreign ventures, Bjørkan had stints at Hertha Berlin and Feyenoord. A left-back with pace, accurate crossing, and a constant willingness to join the attack, he balances his defensive duties with offensive drive.
Odin Lurås Bjørtuft – The Unsung Hero
A commanding central defender, Bjørtuft is Glimt’s “invisible hero.” Rarely in the headlines, he is nonetheless essential—dominant in the air, rugged in duels, uncompromising in challenges. Without him, the team’s structure would falter.
Mikkel Bro Hansen – The Youngest of the Young
At just 16, the Danish forward has already shown flashes of brilliance. In three league matches, he registered an assist; in the domestic cup, he scored six goals in as many games. Knutsen sees in him a future star, with intelligence, physical promise, and the versatility to become a first-team regular.
