Celtic Exclusive: Jens Berthel Askou 'Ticks a Lot of Boxes' in Manager Hunt

Football Insider247 reports that Celtic FC is considering Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou as a potential candidate in their ongoing search for a new head coach, with sources describing the Danish tactician as ticking "a lot of boxes" for the high-profile role[1][2].

Askou, 43, has rapidly risen through the ranks in Scandinavian and European football. Born on August 19, 1982, the former defender transitioned from playing—stints at clubs like Norwich City, Kasımpaşa, Vejle, and Esbjerg—to management in 2015. His coaching journey began as a player-assistant at Skive and Thisted, before securing his first head role at Vendsyssel in 2018 following Erik Rasmussen's departure[1].

Despite a relegation playoff loss at Vendsyssel, Askou rebounded, taking charge of struggling Danish Superliga side Horsens in January 2021. He later moved to Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg in June 2023, then served as assistant coach at Czech giants Sparta Prague in 2024 until his January 2025 dismissal amid a poor run. By mid-2025, he joined FC Copenhagen as assistant under Jacob Neestrup, only to land his current post at Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on June 12, 2025, pending work permit approval[1].

At Motherwell, Askou has impressed early, earning the Glens Vodka Manager of the Month award for December after navigating a tough winter schedule, including a previewed clash with Ross County[3]. Reports from TEAMtalk suggest Celtic views him as a "genius" long-term successor to Martin O'Neill, citing his progressive style and success in elevating smaller clubs—drawing parallels to Scandinavian growth models like those in Denmark and Sweden[1][2].

Askou's tactical acumen, youth development focus, and experience across leagues make him a strong fit for Celtic's ambitions in the Scottish Premiership and Europe. Insiders note his ability to implement data-driven strategies and foster team resilience, key for challenging rivals like Rangers. While no official approach has been confirmed, the Hoops' hierarchy is monitoring his progress closely as the manager hunt intensifies[2].

(Word count: 298)