Bodo/Glimt have won many admirers with their exploits in both Norway and Europe in recent years - and new Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson is very much one of them.
The Gleam, who are based 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle, have won the Eliteserien on four occasions and reached the Conference League quarter-finals, Europa League semi-finals and Champions League league phase despite their significant geographical and financial disadvantages.
Johansson, the 35-year-old Swede who replaced Jens Berthel Askou at Fir Park this week, spent two-and-a-half seasons in charge of Rosenborg and saw at close quarters how Kjetil Knutsen made his side such a formidable force both at home and abroad.
He admitted that he would like to replicate the Bodo/Glimt model at Motherwell, who take on Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands in Conference League qualifying next month, in the seasons to come and compete with larger and wealthier opponents domestically and on the continent.
“It’s obviously an inspiring journey that they've been on,” he said. “They have been very strategic in the way that they've done things, very consistent. They have stability in squads, stability in staff, directors, almost everything.
“That's how a well-run football club can create continuity, consolidate things, build on top and create a culture that in the end can move mountains. For me that's inspiring, as it probably is for many others. And, yes, that's what we're looking to try to create here.
“To have this you have to continue to work in the same way over time and consolidate things so that the culture can keep developing. You create things from within the culture that can actually move mountains rather than just having to spend big money to achieve things.”
Motherwell produced the best football in Scotland under Danish head coach Berthel Askou, who was lured to Toulouse in France last month, in the 2025/26 season and finished fourth in the William Hill Premiership.
Johansson, who looks almost certain to lose Elijah Just this summer given the impact the midfielder has made with New Zealand at the World Cup, will be doing well to replicate the success his predecessor enjoyed.
But the former Copenhagen youth coach and analyst has been impressed by the vision which the Fir Park hierarchy have and remains optimistic that he can build on the progress which has been made during the past 12 months.
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“Through the process and the people that I've gotten to know here at Motherwell, there is a clear objective,” he said.
“The club here is on to something and that's why I think there’s excitement and a buzz around the club. There’s a good vibe and good narrative around the club. That's exciting, right?
“It’s important that when you're on to something like that, when it’s going well it can be easy. So it’s important that when you have a rough patch you don’t get too despondent. Every project, every organization, every football club will hit a rough patch. You have to be resilient during those periods and trust in yourself.
“For instance, with Bodo/Glimt, they dropped out of the top league in Norway early in their process. But they stayed with it and continued. Now they are having real success.
“You have to have that composure and a steady hand when it's going well, but you can’t feel down when it’s not going well. You can’t think you are champions because you win one or two games, but you can’t feel defeated if you lose one or two as well. It’s about finding the balance.”
Berthel Askou admitted that he found living apart from his wife and three young children, who stayed in Denmark, to be difficult during the season that he spent managing Motherwell. But Johansson confirmed that his partner Amanda has joined him in Scotland.
“I’ve worked with a lot of good coaches who were older than me, former players, sporting directors,” he said. “There have been a lot of inspirations for sure with people that I've worked with.
“Then also through studies you meet with good people and also through work you meet a lot of good psychologists. You get to learn strategies through them. But in the end you have to find your own way.
“I love to spend time with my wife. I love to have a nice dinner together with her or with friends. I'm pretty easy going in that sense and that is something that is important to me. It gives me the resilience and the power to go in every morning with energy.
“I wouldn't be here if my wife didn't go with me. We're here together and that's obviously a big part of the decision to be here. I think you have to find your own way.”
