Jens Berthel Askou’s move to Toulouse raised plenty of questions among Celtic supporters, especially given how strongly the Motherwell manager had been linked with the Parkhead job.
Askou built a strong reputation during his short time in Scottish football. Motherwell became one of the most aggressive pressing sides outside Celtic and Rangers, while several supporters admired how brave his teams looked in possession even against stronger opponents.
That style naturally attracted attention.
Celtic fans especially noticed how organised Motherwell looked structurally when facing bigger sides. Their shape without the ball stayed compact, but they also committed numbers forward quickly once transitions opened up. For a club still searching for clarity over its long-term direction after Brendan Rodgers and the failed Wilfried Nancy spell, Askou looked like somebody who fit the modern head coach model.
Young. Intense. Tactically clear.
Instead, Toulouse moved first.
The Ligue 1 side secured Askou while uncertainty still surrounded Martin O’Neill’s future at Celtic after the domestic double. Since then there has been debate around whether Celtic seriously considered the Dane or whether links were exaggerated externally.
Charters discussed the situation while speaking earlier today.
He said: (STV Radio Football Show), “I’ve been told, in some way or another, there was a hint of a conversation between the two, and Celtic weren’t for having him.
“I just think, Toulouse were already in the picture, he’s on a lot of money in Toulouse. Not that he wouldn’t be at Celtic.”
Because stylistically, Askou actually made plenty of sense for Celtic. His Motherwell side played front-foot football, pressed aggressively and physically matched stronger teams regularly during the season. He also looked comfortable handling pressure publicly despite only recently arriving in Scottish football.
Financially, Toulouse also offered something difficult to ignore.
Moving into one of Europe’s major leagues gives Askou a different level of exposure tactically and professionally. Ligue 1 also provides stronger week-to-week competition than Scotland outside the top end of the Premiership.
At the same time, the story probably says more about Celtic’s uncertainty than Askou himself.
The club still appear caught between two directions. One path points toward experienced figures like O’Neill who understand the pressure and emotional demands around Celtic immediately. The other points toward younger coaches with modern tactical ideas and long-term development plans.
Askou looked like somebody who fit the second category perfectly.
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