Kjetil Knutsen and Nicky Hayen both viable Celtic options

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The Celtic Star

·30 ottobre 2025

Kjetil Knutsen and Nicky Hayen both viable Celtic options

Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen and Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen have been tracked by Celtic, according to Sky Sports….

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)

Following Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit on Monday, names such as Ange Postecoglou, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, and former players Craig Bellamy and Robbie Keane have been mentioned as potential replacements.

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Given that Rodgers’ contract was set to expire next summer and no extension appeared to be materialising, the club had likely begun considering other options.

Now, Sky Sports report that the club has been monitoring Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen and Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen.

Nicky Hayen, head coach of Club Brugge pictured at the Ostend-Bruges airport before departure for the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Club Brugge on November 26, 2024. Photo Peter De Voecht

However, securing either of them mid-season could be challenging due to their current commitments with their clubs especially given both are in the Champions League.

Knutsen has previously been linked with the role back in 2023, whereas Hayen’s link to the vacancy is a new development. The report also lists McKenna, Postecoglou, and Bellamy as potential contenders, though Ipswich’s manager might require a £5 million compensation package.

Knutsen’s deal with the Norwegian club expires on 31 December and Norwegian reports indicate that discussions about an extension have yet to take place suggesting that he is set to depart Bodo/Glimt after eight years in the Arctic Circle.

Meanwhile, Hayen’s Club Brugge side played out a 1-1 draw with Celtic in last season’s Champions League and recorded a tremendous 9-1 aggregate victory over theRangers in Champions League qualification earlier this season.

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney celebrate Celtic’s opening goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Two names that have already ruled themselves out of the job are interim caretakers Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.

When asked on Tuesday if Maloney will be using this period as a chance to land the permanent role, the 42 year-old responded: “No. I came back here in a role with the board and Brendan. I’m going to try my best to support Martin and the players, but I’m very similar to Martin. I’m here in the interim, then I will go back to my role.”

However football as all manager’s know is a results business and there is no doubt that Martin and Shaun certainly enjoyed their evening last night in the 4-0 over Falkirk. If the good results keep coming you just never know what’s around the corner…

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books