Sources: This is where Askou ranks on Celtic's manager shortlist

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(Credit: Imago) Fri 20 March 2026 12:20, UK Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is “high” on the list of candidates to become the next Celtic manager ahead of the summer, sources have told Football Insider.Askou has led his side to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership, behind the leading three of Hearts, Celtic and Rangers, in a massively impressive season.A 3-1 defeat at Parkhead last time out came as a blow to their already ambitious title hopes, but the manager has earned high praise for his team’s displays.As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the Celtic board have been impressed by what they have seen from Askou.Celtic are accelerating plans for their next manager ahead of what will be a busy summer with the arrival of a new boss and likely a busy transfer window. 👔 Celtic Manager News 👔 Get the inside track on the Parkhead dugout with real-time updates on shortlisted candidates, live betting market shifts, and key boardroom decisions. VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Jens Berthel Askou well-placed to land Celtic jobFormer Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 15 March that Askou would be a good fit for Celtic and is currently the leading contender.His transformation with Mothwell this season has highlighted him as one of the top bosses in Scotland, while his knowledge of the league is a useful asset.After the failed appointment of Wilfried Nancy, the Celtic board hope to appoint somebody with more knowledge of the club and the Scottish game.Jens Berthel AskouMotherwell StatsGames30Wins14Draws11Losses5Goals For49Goals Against23Jens Berthel Askou’s Scottish Premiership season so far with Motherwell.Askou has emerged as a clear example of that specification, and while other options are still being considered, he has risen high on their list.Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, look, because of what he’s done at Motherwell, Jens Berthel Ascou is definitely in the reckoning for Celtic and high on the shortlist.“He’s really transformed Motherwell since his arrival, they’re sitting in fourth place and they were outsiders for the title race before that defeat to Celtic.“We know at Celtic there’s gonna be big changes there in the summer on the managerial front and on the recruitment side of things.

“So Berthel Ascou will be somebody that will definitely be in their thinking.“Obviously, he knows the league now as well so that would be in his favour as well if Celtic want to bring somebody in as manager next season with the experience of working in Scotland.”Who else is on Celtic’s next manager shortlist?Despite Askou emerging as one of the leading candidates for the Celtic job, they are still assessing a number of alternatives for the position.Martin O’Neill has done a good job in his interim role and hopes to set them up for the summer by winning the league, which will make the next boss’ job easier.Credit: ImagoAmong those being targeted is Robbie Keane, who is highly regarded at Celtic and has emerged as one of the favourites for the role alongside Askou.Keane’s foray into coaching has seen him take charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros, following spells as an assistant manager at Ireland, Middlesbrough and Leeds.The ex-Spurs forward is still in position at league-leading Ferencvaros, after taking over in January 2025, and he led them to a top-flight league title last season.