Exclusive Interview: Jens Berthel Askou on Motherwell's Scottish Football Investment Hope
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has spoken exclusively to the Scotsman about his innovative approach to the game, Scottish football investment hopes, and his decision to join Toulouse.
When Jens Berthel Askou rocked up at Motherwell in June 2025, a few critical eyes rolled, another Premiership newbie making declarations of attacking vigour that couldn’t ever be realised. Millions made in player sales, European football and a move to Ligue 1’s Toulouse later, the Danish manager has not only changed Motherwell’s long-term trajectory, but created discussion on Scottish football’s.
Why it matters for Motherwell
Many have tried to play the daring, possession-orientated brand of play that Askou introduced at Fir Park, on budgets far greater than he was playing with in ML1. The critics turned disciples and it became evident quickly as Motherwell had talk of the title surround them in the late winter that this was a man destined for Europe’s top leagues.
Amid murmurs of Celtic, England and a clutch of other clubs, it was Toulouse who proved the biggest pull away from a project he fell in love with. “I had a great time at Motherwell and I could have stayed there,” Askou said in an exclusive interview with the Scotsman. “There had to be something that I thought was really special to make me want to move because the project there, and to take that to the next level and be part of that journey that the club is on now, it was extremely tempting. I loved every part of Motherwell, and being there, and the people within the club. Then this opportunity came up. There were a lot of rumours about different things. People can speculate all they want about that. I just know that I found an opportunity in France that I thought was on so many levels very interesting. It’s a very interesting and challenging league for me in a country that I find very interesting. It gives me the opportunity to express myself the way I need to express myself to get the best out of me.”
While players like record-sale Elijah Just claimed headlines, others who were already at the club like experienced top flight duo Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell were equally impressive. They proved that not only could Askou recruit, but he improved what was already there, no matter their circumstances. A back-four of traditional right-backs shone in a particularly impressive downing of eventual champions Celtic last December and a removal of fear proved key to unlocking each individual's potential throughout the remarkable season.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 4th in Premiership, 54 pts, 14W-12D-7L from 33 games, recent form WLDLW. Goals this season: 52 scored, 29 conceded (+23 goal difference). Title race: 16 points behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Last result: Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell (2026-05-16). Recent form (last 5): 2W-1D-2L (WWLLD, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. Currently sidelined: Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Callum Hendry, Jordan McGhee, Paul McGinn, Stephen O'Donnell.
