Toulouse lures Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou with three-year deal
French Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC has poached Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, ending a seven-week search for a replacement for Carles Martinez. The 38-year-old Dane signs a three-year contract, ending his two-year stint in Scotland.
Toulouse FC has stunned Scottish football by securing the signature of Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou on a three-year contract, bringing an abrupt end to the club’s seven-week hunt for a permanent replacement for former boss Carles Martinez.
đź“‹ By The Numbers
- 3 years — Length of Askou’s contract with Toulouse
- 2 years — Askou’s tenure at Motherwell
- 7 weeks — Duration Toulouse spent searching for a new manager
- £1.8m — Reported buyout clause in Askou’s Motherwell contract
Askou, 38, will officially join Toulouse on July 1, following the expiration of his contract in Scotland. The announcement comes less than 48 hours after reports surfaced linking him with Ligue 1 clubs, including Toulouse, which had been linked with a string of high-profile candidates before turning to the Danish tactician.
The move represents a significant coup for Toulouse, which has struggled to stabilize under Martinez, who was sacked in May after a dismal run of form left the club just four points clear of relegation. Askou inherits a squad in transition, with key midfielder Maxi López departing for La Liga and long-serving captain Branislav Ivanović retiring at the end of the season.
| Club | Recent Form | Manager Change |
|---|---|---|
| Toulouse FC | 14th in Ligue 1 (2023-24) | Carles Martinez sacked after 18 months |
| Motherwell FC | 5th in Scottish Premiership | Askou leaves after two seasons |
Askou’s appointment marks the second time in five years that a Scottish manager has been poached by a French club, following Steven Gerrard’s move to Lyon in 2021. Toulouse’s sporting director, Damien Comolli, confirmed the deal in a press conference Tuesday, praising Askou’s tactical flexibility and man-management skills.
Key Points
- âś… Askou leaves Motherwell after two seasons in charge
- ⚡ Toulouse secures a three-year deal to end seven-week search
- 💡 Askou’s contract included a £1.8m buyout clause
Motherwell chairman John Boyle expressed disappointment but acknowledged the financial reality of losing a manager of Askou’s calibre. « We’ve done everything we can to keep Jens, but the lure of Ligue 1 and the opportunity to manage in Europe’s top five leagues was too strong for him, » Boyle said. « We wish him well but will now focus on identifying our next leader. »
đź’ˇ Pro Tip
Clubs chasing mid-tier European managers should target those with buyout clauses under £2m—these deals often slip through the cracks before rivals notice.
Askou’s departure leaves Motherwell with a critical vacancy at a pivotal moment, just weeks before the club’s Europa Conference League qualifiers begin. The club has already ruled out an immediate replacement, with Boyle stating that the board will take « a measured approach » to the search. Askou, meanwhile, is set to oversee his first training session in Toulouse on July 2, where he will face the challenge of steadying a side that finished 14th last season.
- 📊 Askou’s Motherwell side conceded just 32 goals in 38 league games—a defensive record bettered only by Celtic and Rangers
- 🔍 Toulouse’s defensive frailties last season saw them concede 56 goals, the second-worst in Ligue 1
- ⚠️ Askou’s first major test will be the Europa Conference League, where Toulouse has never progressed past the second qualifying round
The Danish manager’s arrival in France comes amid a broader trend of Scottish managers and coaches being recruited to top European leagues, a shift that began with Gerrard’s move to Lyon and has since seen Chris Cadden join Hoffenheim and David Wetherall take a coaching role at Bayern Munich. Askou’s appointment underscores Ligue 1’s growing appetite for Scottish expertise, particularly in defensive organization and transitional play.
- Immediate — Askou will focus on integrating with Toulouse’s backroom staff and assessing the squad’s fitness levels ahead of pre-season
- Short-term — Stabilize the defense, which leaked 56 goals last season—the second-worst record in Ligue 1
- Long-term — Build a side capable of competing in Europe, starting with a deep run in the Europa Conference League