Ange Postecoglou has already shared his thoughts on one of the favourites for the Celtic vacancy

Ange Postecoglou has previously heaped praise on a leading Celtic managerial candidate due to his ability to create a real strong culture at a football club.

Postecoglou, who managed the Hoops between 2021 and 2023, is currently out of work after an ill-fated 39-day stint at English Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The Greek-born coach, who grew up in Australia, was heavily linked with a return to Celtic when news of Brendan Rodger’s departure first broke out. However, those reports have since died down, with Japan rugby boss Eddie Jones claiming that Postecoglou’s sights remain set on a return to English football.

Ange Postecoglou has already shared his thoughts on Kjetil Knutsen

Prior to lifting the Europa League with Tottenham towards the end of last season, Ange Postecoglou crossed paths with leading Celtic managerial candidate Kjetil Knutsen.

His Spurs side faced Knutsen’s Bodo/Glimt outfit across two legs in the Europa League semi-final, which the Lillywhites eventually won 5-1 across two legs.

Ahead of the contest, Postecoglou shared his thoughts on Knutsen, via Give Me Sport: “A good guy. Obviously, I met him a few years back, and he has done really well with them [Bodo/Glimt]. He has had a real clear identity about the way he wants his team to play. He's created a real strong culture at the club, not just from a football perspective but from a mental perspective, and you see that. He has done very well.”

Why Kjetil Knutsen is in such high demand

Kjetil Knutsen may not currently be a household name, but he’s admired around Europe for the work he’s doing in Norway with a Bodo/Glimt side that in recent years have far surpassed anything that was expected of them.

The 57-year-old, who has only ever managed in Norway, joined Bodo/Glimt in 2017, initially as assistant coach before assuming the top job around a year later.

In 2020, Knutsen led Bodø/Glimt to their first ever Norwegian national league title, in a record-breaking season where they lost only one game. Since then he’s also won a further three league titles and overall he has a hat-trick of Manager of the Year awards. However, it’s not only his achievements domestically that are gaining him growing admirers, it’s his work in Europe.

Since taking charge of Bodo/Glimt he’s achieved a series of firsts - reaching the Europa Conference League group stage for the first time, the Europa League semi-final and the Champions League group stage. He’s the only manager in history to see his side score six against a Jose Mourinho team after hammering AS Roma 6-1 and has also overseen victories over sides like Lazio, Olympiacos, Besiktas and FC Porto while earning a commendable 2-2 draw against Tottenham in this season’s Champions League.