Behind the underdog story of Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League is a former F-16 pilot who intensively coaches the team’s mental resilience.
On 12 Mar 2026 GMT+7, the underdog story of Bodø/Glimt, a small Norwegian club, reached a milestone by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 for the first time in the club's history after defeating three-time European champions Inter Milan with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Most recently, on 11 Mar 2026 GMT+7, they defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-0 in the first leg of the round of 16.
Behind this astonishing global success is Bodø/Glimt’s team psychologist, a former Norwegian Air Force member who instilled confidence in every player that winning the Champions League was truly possible.
Mannsverk is a former F-16 fighter pilot who completed real missions in Afghanistan after 9/11 and participated in NATO operations in Libya in 2011. His experience making split-second decisions under extreme pressure, where one mistake could mean death, is what he shares with the players.
He joined the team in 2017 during its darkest period when the club had just been relegated and the atmosphere was full of negativity. Coach Kjetil Knutsen brought in his friend, the ex-military man, after witnessing the team’s losses under pressure in crucial matches. The results were remarkable.
Since then, they have developed a military-like mental toughness and proven they can beat anyone in the world by reaching the Champions League round of 16 after stunning victories over teams such as:
Atlético Madrid
Manchester City
Inter Milan
And most recently, Sporting Lisbon, who were beaten decisively 3-0.