Shortlist for Celtic job – Trpisovsky, Rose and Ilzer. Now for top choice

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The Celtic Star

·30 March 2026

Shortlist for Celtic job – Trpisovsky, Rose and Ilzer. Now for top choice

Four man shortlist for Celtic job – My No.1 choice is Kjetil Knutsen…

Kjetil Knutsen, Head Coach of Bodo/Glimt, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and FK Bodo/Glimt at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

As you’ve probably gathered I’ve constructed my own four man shortlist on who I believe should be in contention for the vacant managers position at Celtic Park, and whilst it’s only my opinion, it’s one that I think many of you will agree on, and a list of names that are well within our reach.

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Earlier today I explained why I do not believe that the time is right for Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou to be given the Celtic job. It’s only my opinion and I explain why I have reached that conclusion. So here’s my list in reverse order of the four names I’d like to see on the Celtic shortlist with all four being outstanding candidates who could take Celtic to the next level.

Here’s my list of prospective managerial candidates to be the next permanent manager of Celtic FC

Number Four – Jindrich Trpisovsky

Number Three – Marco Rose

Number Two – Christian Ilzer

The number one choice on my four man shortlist is a name that regular readers of my articles will not be surprised by, and that is of course Kjetil Knutsen.

Knutsen needs no introduction

Knutsen needs no introduction, as he’s a name that would be the favoured choice among the highest majority of the Celtic supporters when it comes to appointing a new manager.

The Norwegian is highly regarded in the world of football after turning a relatively small club in Bodo/Glimt into one of the most consistent and competitive performers on the European scene, all on a very modest budget.

Under Knutsen, Bodo have continually punched above their weight on the big stage, reaching the quarterfinals of the Conference league, the semi finals of the Europa league as well as Champions league last 32, overcoming a host of much more bigger sides along the way.

Kjetil Knutsen, Head Coach of Bodo/Glimt looks on during the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round First Leg match between Linfield and Bodo/Glimt at Windsor Park on July 19, 2022 in Belfast. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Amazing success at Bodo/Glimt

The Norwegian side haven’t just scraped through these challenges, they’ve tactically outdone sides who boast much bigger resources, and that’s all down to the tactically astute Knutsen.

Domestically, Bodo are also dominant, winning four of the last six top flight titles, which is even more incredible as they had never won a single championship before the arrival of Knutsen, who’s presence has revived the fortunes of the entire club.

Turning a club with such limited resources as Bodo into Norway’s dominant side, as well as making a huge impact on the European scene, makes the tactically astute Knutsen in my opinion, the number one contender to be the new manager of Celtic Football Club.

He’s number one on my list as a worthy candidate to be the next manager of Celtic FC…

So there you have it, four viable options, all top class candidates but Kjetil Knutsen is my number one and favourite managerial candidate to take over from Martin O’Neill this summer…

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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