Motherwell appoint Jens Berthel Askou as new manager, replacing Michael Wimmer at Fir Park
Jens Berthel Askou takes charge at Motherwell; the 42-year-old replaces Michael Wimmer at Fir Park; he quit the Steelmen last month due to family reasons; the Dane was most recently assistant at FC Copenhagen
Wednesday 18 June 2025 17:49, UK
New Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is promising attractive football as he looks to take the club to "the next level".
The 42-year-old, who was most recently assistant at FC Copenhagen, has replaced Michael Wimmer who left Fir Park last month after just 12 games.
He has also managed clubs in Sweden, the Faroe Islands and his native Denmark.
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Askou, who played for Norwich City between 2009 and 2011, was appointed last week and has now formally taken charge at the Scottish Premiership club.
"[I want to play] some attractive football to watch that will get people out of their seats," he told Sky Sports News.
"Also work on the training ground that will develop players and staff and the team and the club to the next level, which will benefit everyone in and around Motherwell FC.
"I think the criteria for success is that we get people on board with our ideas first of all, that we get the backing from the fans, that they see what we're trying to do, they understand the vision.
"Obviously that we get some results along the way that will get us into the right direction, but most of all that we develop well.
"Our new approach to training and how we work with people, how we work with football, with training ideas, and how we approach the game should develop us.
"We should see that development in training, we should see it in the games, and it has to be effective over time."
Askou played with new Rangers head coach Russell Martin at Norwich and he expects the former Scotland international to make a real impact at Ibrox.
"He was just a fantastic guy, a really good professional, very, very passionate and determined," he added.
"He's done extremely well for himself so far in his career, and played some very modern, uncompromising football that for sure is going to push Rangers into the next level."
Speaking after the appointment was confirmed, Motherwell chair Kyrk MacMillan said: "This has been a more rigorous process to recruit our new manager due to the incredible number of applications for the role.
"We had a high number of impressive applicants, but we were really drawn to Jens. His track record of working with big clubs, delivering success and developing young players matches up with all our philosophies here at Motherwell Football Club. He has handed 26 teenagers debuts in five-and-a-half seasons, which I think is evidence of Jens implementing his ideas and morals.
"The data and numbers impressed us, but more importantly, after speaking with Jens a number of times, he is a really ambitious character and a leader who was extremely keen to get the role here at our club."
Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season
From next season, Sky Sports' Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports
