Bodo/Glimt chief speaks out after what’s been said about Knutsen to Leeds
Leeds United are reportedly weighing up whether to sack manager Daniel Farke following their promotion to the Premier League.
Farke achieved promotion from the Championship at the second time of asking, but there have been questions over his viability to succeed in the top flight.
Leeds are eager to beat relegation when they return to the Premier League, and a decision will be made soon over whether Farke is the right candidate to help achieve this.
Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen has been linked with the role, but the Norweigan side clearly do not want to lose their highly-rated coach.
Havard Sakariassen makes Knutsen to Leeds admission
Bodo/Glimt have reached the Europa League semi-finals, and are set to face Premier League side Tottenham.
Knutsen has done a superb job with the Norweigan side, and their technical director Havard Sakariassen has now admitted that he would not stand in his way if he was to leave.
| Kjetil Knutsen – managerial career | |
| Hovding | 1995-2004 |
| Fyllingsdalen | 2009-2013 |
| Asane | 2014-2016 |
| Bodo/Glimt | 2018-present |
“I know that he enjoys being in Bodo, enjoys working at this club. He’s probably had some really good offers along the way and should he for some reason decide to do something else I think we should applaud him to the airport and say thank you,” he told the BBC (30 April).
“But I’m not afraid of that at all. I think that we will work here for more years to come – but who knows.”
Knutsen would be exciting but risky for Leeds
Knutsen has had Bodo consistently punching above their weight, both domestically and in Europe, and he has pulled off some shock results against huge sides.
Bodo just knocked Lazio out of the Europa League to reach the semi-finals, becoming the first team from Norway to ever get this far in a European competition.
If Leeds were to hire Knutsen now, he would have a huge job on his hands, and the fanbase may not show too much patience to a coach with no experience in England.
Although his work at Bodo is to be admired, it may be too risky for Knutsen to be thrown into the deep end in the top flight at Leeds.