Jens Berthel Askou

Jens Berthel Askou
Askou in 2012
Personal information
Full name Jens Berthel Askou
Date of birth (1982-08-19) 19 August 1982
Place of birth Videbæk, Denmark
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Toulouse (manager)
Youth career
Videbæk
2001–2002 Ikast FS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Holstebro 30 (5)
2003–2007 Silkeborg 122 (8)
2007–2009 Kasımpaşa 57 (2)
2009–2011 Norwich City 27 (2)
2011 → Millwall (loan) 1 (0)
2011–2013 Vejle-Kolding 49 (3)
2013–2014 Esbjerg fB 15 (0)
2015–2016 Skive 45 (0)
2016–2017 Thisted
2018 Vendsyssel 1 (0)
Total 347 (20)
Managerial career
2018–2019 Vendsyssel
2020–2021 HB Tórshavn
2021–2023 Horsens
2023–2024 IFK Göteborg
2025–2026 Motherwell
2026– Toulouse
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jens Berthel Askou (born 19 August 1982) is a Danish professional football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Ligue 1 club Toulouse.

Askou played for Danish clubs before moving abroad, first to Turkish club Kasımpaşa and then to Norwich City in England, before moving back to Denmark to play for Vejle Kolding and Esbjerg. After retiring, he moved into coaching and won a domestic double with HB Tórshavn in 2020 before managing clubs in Denmark, Sweden and Scotland, leading Motherwell to European qualification in his only season in charge prior to joining Toulouse in 2026.

Playing career

Born in Videbæk, Askou began his career at Ikast FS before moving to Holstebro in 2002. His performances led to a contract with 1st Division Silkeborg in the summer of 2003, following a successful trial. He helped the club regain promotion to the Danish Superliga during his first season, and became a regular for four years. In 2007, Askou failed to agree a new deal with SIF, which led to a move to Turkish football with Kasımpaşa.

Kasımpaşa finished bottom of the 2007–08 Süper Lig, with Askou appearing frequently and scoring twice. However, despite Askou's own goal in the playoffs semi-final, the club returned to the top flight at the first attempt in 2008–09. His contract was not renewed the following summer.

Norwich City

In July 2009, Askou linked up with English League One club Norwich City on their pre-season tour of Scotland. He impressed suitably with his defensive displays in the club's friendly matches, also managing to score with a header against Airdrie United.[1] Then manager Bryan Gunn confirmed on 27 July he had offered Askou a contract.[2] It was revealed on 30 July that Askou had signed a two-year deal with Norwich.[3] He made his debut in a 4–0 win over Yeovil Town in the League Cup on 11 August, helping to keep a clean sheet. Four days later, he scored on his league debut as Norwich drew 1–1 with Exeter City.[4] Askou became a regular starter for Norwich until picking up a metatarsal injury in a league game against Yeovil in December, which kept him out until May 2010.

He scored a header against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup in August 2010; a game which Norwich lost 3–1.[5] Askou's opportunities at Norwich were limited in the 2010–11 season, making only two Championship starts in the first half of the campaign.

In January 2011, Askou moved to fellow Championship side Millwall on a one-month loan.[6] He was sent off on his debut against Leicester City for a two-footed lunge on Yakubu.[7] This was his only appearance for the club and he returned to Norwich in February. He did not appear again for his parent club either and was released by the club at the end of the season after his contract expired.[8]

Vejle-Kolding

Askou signed a two-year contract with Danish first division team Vejle-Kolding in August 2011.[9][10] During his time a Vejle, he scored six goals in 55 appearances and was appointed club captain in the summer of 2012.[11]

Askou signed a two-year deal with Esbjerg in the Danish Superliga on 2 August 2013 for an undisclosed fee.[12]

Coaching career

In 2015, Askou became playing assistant manager at Skive.[13] A year later, he took up the same position at Thisted.[14][15]

In June 2017, Askou became Erik Rasmussen's assistant manager at Vendsyssel.[16] On 8 May 2018, Rasmussen resigned as manager and was replaced by Askou.[17] After an overall defeat against Horsens in the Danish Superliga relegation play off games, Askou and his staff was fired on 20 May 2019.[18]

In October 2019, Askou signed with Denmark Series 4 amateur club TIF All Stars.[19] In the beginning of November 2019, it was confirmed that Askou would become the manager of HB Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands starting from 1 December 2019.[20] One year later, on 5 December 2020, he had won the double with HB Tórshavn by first winning the Faroe Islands Premier League and then the Faroe Islands Cup. He also won the honour as the best football manager 2020 in the Faroe Islands, chosen by the Venjarafelag Føroya (Faroese Association of Football Managers).[21]

In January 2021, he left Tórshavn to become new manager of struggling Danish Superliga club Horsens.[22] In June 2023, he left AC Horsens to become the new head coach of Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg.[23] In June 2024, Askou left IFK Göteborg to become an assistant coach of Czech First League club Sparta Prague.[24] As a consequence of a disappointing fall for the club, Askou was fired on 3 January 2025 by the Czech club.[25] In January 2025, Askou was hired as an assistant coach at Danish Superliga club Copenhagen under manager Jacob Neestrup, on a deal until the end of the season.[26]

Motherwell

On 12 June 2025, Scottish Premiership club Motherwell announced the appointment of Askou, subject to a work permit, as their new manager.[27] In his only season in charge, he led Motherwell to a fourth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership and qualification for European competition, while receiving praise for his attacking style of football.[28][29]

Toulouse

On 21 May 2026, Askou was appointed head coach of Ligue 1 club Toulouse ahead of the 2026–27 season, signing a three-year contract.[30][31][32]

Personal life

Askou is married to Rikke. The couple have three children, including current OB defender Julius.[33]

Managerial statistics

As of 29 August 2026
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Vendsyssel Denmark 8 May 2018 20 May 2019 431313175658−2030.23 [34]
Tórshavn Faroe Islands 1 December 2019 4 January 2021 3324638928+61072.73 [35]
Horsens Denmark 4 January 2021 7 June 2023 90352035128131−3038.89 [36]
IFK Göteborg Sweden 7 June 2023 15 June 2024 35148134248−6040.00 [37]
Motherwell Scotland 12 June 2025 21 May 2026 472214117145+26046.81
Toulouse France 21 May 2026 present 201124−2000.00
Total 2501086280388314+74043.20 —

Honours

Player

Silkeborg

Kasımpaşa

Norwich City

Manager

Havnar Bóltfelag

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "City make it three wins on tour". Norwich City F.C. 19 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  2. ↑ "Askou offered Norwich deal". Sky Sports. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Double signing for City". Norwich City F.C. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Exeter 1 – 1 Norwich". BBC. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  5. ↑ "Blackburn 3 – 1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Millwall sign Norwich City defender Jens Berthel Askou". BBC Sport. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Leicester 4 – 2 Millwall". BBC Sport. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Gill, Askou and Habergham to leave City". Norwich City F.C. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  9. ↑ Vejle henter forsvarsspiller i Norwich, Jyllans-Posten, 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  10. ↑ Dagens transferrygter: Golfkøllesvinger kan vende tilbage til Liverpool, Politiken, 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  11. ↑ Askou ny anfører i VBK
  12. ↑ Jens Berthel Askou til EfB på toårig aftale
  13. ↑ Askou bliver spillende assistent i Skive, bold.dk, 26 December 2014
  14. ↑ Jens Berthel Askou ny assistent i Thisted, bold.dk, 19 September 2016
  15. ↑ Jens Berthel Askou stopper i Thisted FC‚ bold.dk, 30 May 2017
  16. ↑ Jens Berthel Askou fortsætter i Vendsyssel‚ bold.dk, 27 June 2017
  17. ↑ "Erik R. stopper i Vendsyssel - Askou overtager" (in Danish). bold.dk. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  18. ↑ Vendsyssel sparker trænerteam på porten, bold.dk, 20 May 2019
  19. ↑ Tidligere Vejle kaptajn skriver kontrakt med TIF All Stars., facebook.com, 8 October 2019
  20. ↑ Jens Berthel Askou skal træne på Færøerne, bold.dk, 2 November 2019
  21. ↑ Arge, Tróndur (5 December 2020). "VFF: Berthel er ársins venjari". in.fo. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  22. ↑ Brandt, Theis Fischer (4 January 2021). "Bekræftet: Askou er ny træner i AC Horsens". bold.dk. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  23. ↑ "Välkommen, Jens!". IFK Göteborg (in Swedish). 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Jens Askou novým členem realizačního týmu". AC Sparta Prague (in Czech). 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  25. ↑ Askou er færdig i Sparta Prag, bold.dk, 3 January 2025
  26. ↑ F.C. København henter ny assistenttræner, fck.dk, 12 January 2025
  27. ↑ "Jens Berthel Askou agrees to become new Motherwell manager". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  28. ↑ "Jens Berthel Askou: Motherwell boss leaves to take charge at Toulouse following successful debut season in Premiership". Sky Sports. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  29. ↑ McPheat, Nick (20 May 2026). "Jens Berthel Askou joins Toulouse - what now for Motherwell?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Jens Berthel Askou est le nouvel entraîneur du Toulouse Football Club" (in French). Toulouse FC. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Official | Motherwell head coach Jens Berthel Askou joins Toulouse - Get French Football News". 21 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  32. ↑ "Toulouse annonce l'arrivée de l'entraîneur danois Jens Berthel Askou" [Toulouse announces the arrival of Danish coach Jens Berthel Askou] (in French). L'Équipe. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "Jens is raring to go". pinkun.com. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  34. ↑ "Vendsyssel FF: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "HB Thorshavn: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "AC Horsens: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  37. ↑ "IFK Göteborg: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  38. 1 2 Prestá, Agnar (5 December 2020). "HB tryggjaði sær greipuna". portal.fo. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
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