Latest news with #FCCopenhagen
The National
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
What Motherwell chairman saw in Jens Berthel Askou
All at Fir Park were rocked by the shock departure of Michael Wimmer at the end of last season due to family reasons, and MacMillan was as disappointed as any other Motherwell supporter that the journey the German had set them on had seemed to end so abruptly. He was determined though that the new man in the dugout would be someone who would be willing and able to pick up where Wimmer left off, and implement the aggressive style that he wants Motherwell to be known for. Having whittled down a huge list of prospective candidates to land on then FC Copenhagen assistant manager Berthel Askou, he is certain the club have got the right man to do just that. Speaking on the 'Well Society's 'Our Club, Our Podcast', MacMillan said: 'We want to be ambitious, and we make no secret of that. I'd love to see Motherwell winning the cup again. 'I'm not promising anyone that is going to happen next season, don't misunderstand me, but there's nothing wrong with having that ambition and we want the manager to feel that too. (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) 'I don't want to be in a conversation where we're just feeling that we need to low block constantly and try to navigate other teams. It's about how we impose ourselves, and you need to have a bit of confidence about you to do that. And I think he's got that. Read more: 'There were about 100 applications that came in for the role, and some really good ones as well. 'We were pretty clear that the style of football, that journey we had been on with Michael, was really positive. 'So, first of all, it was right, what profiles do we think are aligning with that, what profiles do we think will allow us to continue on that journey and not have to kind of rip it up and start again? 'From there, there was an automatic sifting process for some of the profiles, and from there we do a kind of deeper dive into them. 'There are data analysis sets that are created by an external body that allows us to dig in a little bit more to their stats in terms of PPDA, xG and all these sorts of things, that allows us to see if this is a manager who plays on the front foot and doesn't just talk like that, he enacts it on the pitch. 'We go through that process, and ultimately Jens came through a contact and landed in my phone. So, it wasn't one of the initial applications that came through the emailing the club type of route. 'There is a lot of that, a lot of things that get done through network, and that's probably been a bit of a learning curve for me over the past few months as well, and building and growing that network is really important, for sure. 'We went through that process, and ultimately we landed on Jens. There were some really good people in there, but ultimately I think we found a good guy.' As well as his preferred style of play, MacMillan found that Berthel Askou's values in terms of hard work and discipline – both on and off the pitch – aligned with those the board are trying to implement within the team and within the club. 'I think he's a very honest character,' he said. (Image: GordonTerris/Herald&Times) 'Probably in terms of the Danish aspect, there's a no-nonsense, tell it like it is type of style, and we really like that. There's no beating around the bush, you get what you get, which we really liked. 'He likes to play football on the front foot, which is really important, press high up the pitch and be aggressive in terms of how we equip ourselves on the pitch. That style is going to continue, for sure. 'I think the fitness aspect for us is something we want to continue with the players as well. That leads into the profiles that we bring into the club too. 'One of the things we've been quite focused on, and that was coming through with Michael too, was how do we get the stats of the players up to a level that we feel they are able to leave everything on the pitch? 'It's a really boring stat, but most teams on average will run about 95 -98 kilometres over the 90 minutes between the 10 outfield players, and ultimately what Michael was working to - and it will be similar with Jens - is getting that to 105-110 kilometres, because ultimately what that means is that if you run that extra 10 percent, you have an extra man around the ball. 'So, again, that was what we wanted to see from the profile we brought into the club. High energy, and we'll see where that takes us. "But it's exciting for sure.'
The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
What Motherwell chairman saw in Jens Berthel Askou
He was determined though that the new man in the dugout would be someone who would be willing and able to pick up where Wimmer left off, and implement the aggressive style that he wants Motherwell to be known for. Having whittled down a huge list of prospective candidates to land on then FC Copenhagen assistant manager Berthel Askou, he is certain the club have got the right man to do just that. Speaking on the 'Well Society's 'Our Club, Our Podcast', MacMillan said: 'We want to be ambitious, and we make no secret of that. I'd love to see Motherwell winning the cup again. 'I'm not promising anyone that is going to happen next season, don't misunderstand me, but there's nothing wrong with having that ambition and we want the manager to feel that too. (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) 'I don't want to be in a conversation where we're just feeling that we need to low block constantly and try to navigate other teams. It's about how we impose ourselves, and you need to have a bit of confidence about you to do that. And I think he's got that. Read more: 'There were about 100 applications that came in for the role, and some really good ones as well. 'We were pretty clear that the style of football, that journey we had been on with Michael, was really positive. 'So, first of all, it was right, what profiles do we think are aligning with that, what profiles do we think will allow us to continue on that journey and not have to kind of rip it up and start again? 'From there, there was an automatic sifting process for some of the profiles, and from there we do a kind of deeper dive into them. 'There are data analysis sets that are created by an external body that allows us to dig in a little bit more to their stats in terms of PPDA, xG and all these sorts of things, that allows us to see if this is a manager who plays on the front foot and doesn't just talk like that, he enacts it on the pitch. 'We go through that process, and ultimately Jens came through a contact and landed in my phone. So, it wasn't one of the initial applications that came through the emailing the club type of route. 'There is a lot of that, a lot of things that get done through network, and that's probably been a bit of a learning curve for me over the past few months as well, and building and growing that network is really important, for sure. 'We went through that process, and ultimately we landed on Jens. There were some really good people in there, but ultimately I think we found a good guy.' As well as his preferred style of play, MacMillan found that Berthel Askou's values in terms of hard work and discipline – both on and off the pitch – aligned with those the board are trying to implement within the team and within the club. 'I think he's a very honest character,' he said. (Image: GordonTerris/Herald&Times) 'Probably in terms of the Danish aspect, there's a no-nonsense, tell it like it is type of style, and we really like that. There's no beating around the bush, you get what you get, which we really liked. 'He likes to play football on the front foot, which is really important, press high up the pitch and be aggressive in terms of how we equip ourselves on the pitch. That style is going to continue, for sure. 'I think the fitness aspect for us is something we want to continue with the players as well. That leads into the profiles that we bring into the club too. 'One of the things we've been quite focused on, and that was coming through with Michael too, was how do we get the stats of the players up to a level that we feel they are able to leave everything on the pitch? 'It's a really boring stat, but most teams on average will run about 95 -98 kilometres over the 90 minutes between the 10 outfield players, and ultimately what Michael was working to - and it will be similar with Jens - is getting that to 105-110 kilometres, because ultimately what that means is that if you run that extra 10 percent, you have an extra man around the ball. 'So, again, that was what we wanted to see from the profile we brought into the club. High energy, and we'll see where that takes us. "But it's exciting for sure.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic 'favourites to sign' Nygren in £1.7m transfer
The Danish SuperLiga club want to sell the 23-year-old attacker, who has just six months left on his contract, to avoid losing him for free. Nygren is believed to be close to choosing Celtic over RSC Anderlecht, FC Copenhagen, and several MLS clubs with the Scottish champions favourites to land a deal. Swedish media outlet Expressen said: "Celtic are currently favourites to sign Nygren and the parties are said to be close to an agreement. "There have also been reports of interest from RSC Anderlecht and FC Copenhagen, but as things stand right now, and as long as the situation doesn't change, Celtic are at the forefront of the process." The Scottish champions were allowed to speak to the Swedish international earlier this week and have agreed personal terms with him. Nygren is reportedly keen on a move to Scotland. He has been a key player for Nordsjælland, scoring 16 goals in all competitions this season. Nygren made his international debut for Sweden earlier this year and has already scored twice in four appearances for his country under Jon Dahl Tomasson. The deal is expected to be finalised soon.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Askou is new Motherwell manager
Motherwell have appointed Jens Berthel Askou as their new manager. The 42-year-old Dane was most recently assistant manager at FC Copenhagen and has had spells in charge in his homeland, Sweden and the Faroe Islands. Advertisement "Having spoken extensively with members of the club board, it was clear from the outset that our ideas, ambitions and morals align," said Askou. "We are all ambitious people, and we're all hungry for success. I can't wait to arrive in Scotland and begin planning for the season ahead. There is a lot of work to be done, but it's highly exciting." With the move subject to the approval of a work permit, Motherwell say they hope Askou can start next week. He replaces Michael Wimmer, who left Fir Park in late May to join German third-tier side Jahn Regensburg. Wimmer won five and drew three of his 12 matches as Motherwell finished seventh in the Scottish Premiership. Advertisement Askou has won promotion to the Danish top flight with both Vendsyssel and Horsens. In between those jobs he won a league and cup double in the Faroe Islands with HB Torshavn. In June 2023, he took over at Gothenburg for a year before joining Sparta Prague as an assistant coach. In January, he took up a similar post at FC Copenhagen working under manager Jacob Neestrup. "We had a high number of impressive applicants, but we were really drawn to Jens," said Motherwell chairman Kyrk Macmillan. "His track record of working with big clubs, delivering success and developing young players matches up with all our philosophies. Advertisement "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." More to follow.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reports: Neestrup being tracked by Leipzig as well as Wolfsburg
Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup stands on the sidelines during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Copenhagen and FC Bayern Munich at the Telia Parken. RB Leipzig are considering FC Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup as a candidate for their vacant head coach position, according to media reports. Sven Hoppe/dpa RB Leipzig are considering FC Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup as a candidate for their vacant head coach position, according to media reports. The Dane has also been linked in the media with Bundesliga rival Wolfsburg. Advertisement Kicker and Sport Bild reported on Tuesday that Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer had reached out to the 37-year-old. Leipzig, who missed out on Europe for the first time as a Bundesliga team, are searching for a successor to interim coach Zsolt Löw. The 46-year-old took over from the sacked Marco Rose in March but returned to Jürgen Klopp's global football strategy team at Red Bull after the season ended. Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas from Italian Serie A club Como and Crystal Palace's Austrian boss Oliver Glasner were viewed as top candidates for the Leipzig job, but both appear set to stay put.
