Jens Berthel Askou’s future remains unclear amid growing reports from France linking the Danish coach with the vacant Toulouse job.
Askou has already been heavily discussed around Celtic over recent weeks as the club continue searching for clarity over who will lead the team next season. The Motherwell boss remains one of the names most strongly linked with the Celtic role, although support remains divided over whether he would be the right appointment for such a huge rebuild.
Now though, Toulouse appear firmly in the picture as well.
Reports in France claim Askou is part of a three-man shortlist being considered by the Ligue 1 side alongside Christophe Pélissier and Olivier Pantaloni.
All three managers fit a fairly similar profile.
None are viewed as superstar appointments, but all have reputations for improving players, working with younger squads and overachieving without massive budgets. Toulouse appear focused on finding a coach capable of developing talent while also playing aggressive football that excites supporters.
That probably explains why Askou’s name continues to emerge.
His coaching work in Denmark and Czech football has earned praise for tactical flexibility and player development. Celtic’s interest reportedly comes from similar thinking, especially with the club expected to continue relying heavily on younger players and recruitment trading models moving forward.
Toulouse sporting director Viktor Bezhani discussed the club’s search this week.
He said via The Herald: “ We have a shortlist, with French and international names on it.
“We hope to announce the name as soon as possible.
“We’ve already conducted interviews.
“The future manager must be very dynamic, very positive, aware of the expectations of the thousands of fans who are waiting for goals.
“He must be someone who can work with young players and bring new ideas.
“We need to have a coach who has overperformed with modest means and that knows how to develop players.”
The wording around that description will probably catch Celtic supporters’ attention immediately.
Much of it sounds very close to the profile Celtic themselves appear to be targeting behind the scenes. The club need somebody capable of handling pressure quickly while also improving younger players ahead of another massive Champions League qualifying campaign.
Because right now, the managerial race around Europe is starting to move quickly.
Celtic haven’t made a move for him so does that not tell you something.
It doesn’t matter who we appoint we will be scrambling around in the transfer market on deadline day. After the Champions League play-off round.
O’Neill deserves the job. And I think he should take it.
We’ll need to sign the best Scottish based players.
I like Elijah Just and Claudio Braga. Pay the money Celtic.
We need better than Askou. And we need them in the door before the world cup. We need the squad upgraded desperately too. We need a new scouting network and a DoF too. We need any new manager to bring his own backroom staff too, complemented by whoever he may wish to retain from our current staff. But our priority is thst we badly need a new and competent board of directors. And until that is achieved, none of our needs will be met.