Jens Berthel Askou’s name continues to be linked with Celtic, and fresh comments from Erik Sviatchenko exclusively to CeltsAreHere, offer a detailed look at why the Motherwell manager has caught attention this season.
Askou has made a strong impression in his first campaign in Scotland. Working with a smaller budget and squad, he has kept Motherwell competitive and organised, while also showing a clear style in how his team plays.
He said: “It’s been really delightful to see, first and foremost, a Danish coach abroad. That’s happening more and more of these success stories around.
“Thomas Frank at Tottenham was the best, being in his Brentford period, getting this huge move to one of the bigger clubs in Europe, unfortunately that didn’t work out. But you have players in the Bundesliga, you have players around now doing really well.”
Sviatchenko has also had direct insight into Askou’s work from earlier in his career, including time spent around him during his own spell in Denmark.
He added: My former manager Bo Henriksen, was at Mainz and he was close to Jens Berthel Askou, so Jens Berthel Askou would visit us at Midtjylland quite a bit and be around us.
“I had the pleasure to speak with him. It’s been really, really good what he’s been doing at Motherwell. Motherwell is a historical club in Scotland and in that sense, what he’s doing is really impressive.”
That link gives his view a bit more depth. He’s not just watching from afar, he’s been around Askou and knows how he works.
The Celtic talk has come from that. A good season at Motherwell and a clear way of playing have naturally brought his name into the frame as the club looks ahead.
Sviatchenko said: “The links with Celtic, I think it’s just nice that he’s linked. If it’s something that will happen, we’ll see. But for sure, it’s a different step being Motherwell manager and being Celtic manager. I think no one can really put into words how tough it is.”
That step up remains the key point. Managing Celtic brings a different level of expectation, where results are demanded immediately and there is little time to settle.
Sviatchenko also shared his thoughts on Kasper Schmeichel’s situation, read more here.
Sviatchenko was clear on what determines success in that environment.
He added: “That’s the million-dollar question. I think everyone can be successful. If they get momentum going and players are buying into what the manager is saying, then you have an easier way to be successful.
“But if you’re given a difficult platform, you’re not winning games from the beginning, you’re not able to sign the players you want to, then it’s always difficult. At Celtic, you don’t have even a day to breathe.”
There has also been talk around Askou attending Celtic matches, something that has added to speculation in recent weeks. He has been spotted at games with his agent, which has only increased the noise around a possible move.
Sviatchenko, though, was careful not to read too much into that. While he acknowledged the situation, he stopped short of suggesting it points to anything concrete about next season.
He said: “I think it could be a coincidence. He probably lives in the city and going to those games is also a way of him learning about the Scottish league and seeing all the games. It always makes a coach even better.
“I think it’s more from a perspective of that. Otherwise, we’ll see if those games were attended because a future job is in the books.”
For now, nothing has been decided. Askou is still focused on his job at Motherwell, but his name is starting to come up more often when people talk about what Celtic might do next.
Sviatchenko didn’t try to hide where he stands on it. When asked directly, he made it clear he would like to see his fellow Dane given the chance.
He said: “I hope, from a fellow Dane to another, that it could be Jens Berthel Askou. Who knows?
“Sometimes I feel like there’s also a trend right now in the modern world that clubs are taking chances on younger coaches.”
Keep Reading
