Celtic have stepped back from any serious pursuit of Jens Berthel Askou, with the Danish coach set to join Toulouse after Motherwell agreed a compensation package for his departure.
Reports this week suggested Celtic had been slow to act and allowed the French club to move ahead, but sources indicate the Scottish champions made a deliberate choice not to pursue the appointment.
Celtic were made aware that Toulouse had registered interest and that any competing move would need to happen quickly. The club decided to pass, and that decision effectively ended Askou’s connection to the vacancy at Parkhead.
Askou guided Motherwell to a fourth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership this season, a result the club itself credited as a strong outcome. Motherwell also acknowledged his role in establishing a clear playing identity and returning the club to European football for the first time since 2022.
Despite that praise, Askou’s wider career record raises questions about his suitability for a club the size of Celtic. His only tangible trophy success came in the Faroe Islands league, which represents the highest level at which he claimed silverware.
His time at Motherwell saw the team go on two lengthy winless runs during the season. Their longest consecutive winning streak reached just three matches, and the attacking output depended heavily on a single player throughout the campaign.
Some figures inside Celtic’s structure reportedly pushed for Askou’s appointment and even consulted Shaun Maloney, who has been discussed as a possible sporting director candidate, about the potential hire. However, key decision-makers within the club were not persuaded.
The managerial search continues, with names including Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane, and Martin O’Neill circulating in media reports. No confirmed appointment has been announced, and no new name has emerged publicly from private negotiations.
O’Neill remains the most discussed option among supporters, with concerns raised that a move for Keane could prove divisive among the fanbase and create friction between supporters and the board.
Askou heads to Toulouse with supporters and observers split on whether Celtic made the right call. Some within the club’s sphere clearly believed in his potential, while the final decision reflected a judgment that his record did not yet match the demands of the role.
Toulouse saw enough to move quickly and secure his services, suggesting the Ligue 1 club viewed his Motherwell work as meaningful evidence of his coaching ability going forward.
Whether Askou thrives in France remains to be seen. His appointment there gives him the platform to test himself at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership has offered so far in his career.
For Celtic, the search for a permanent manager continues with no clear frontrunner yet confirmed, leaving the club navigating one of the more scrutinised appointment processes of recent seasons.
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