Toulouse Football Club have announced the appointment of Jens Berthel Askou as their new manager, effective immediately. The 43-year-old Danish coach replaces Carles Martínez Novell, who departed the club after a brief spell in charge since 2023. The club confirmed the appointment on their official Twitter feed on May 21, 2026.
Askou arrives at Toulouse following a successful period with Motherwell FC in Scotland. Prior to that, he managed clubs in his native Denmark, as well as in the Faroe Islands with HB Tórshavn, Sweden with IFK Göteborg, and the Czech Republic with Sparta Prague. This move represents his first foray into one of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues.
Toulouse’s sporting director, Viktor Bezhani, highlighted Askou’s player development skills and his ability to exceed expectations as key factors in the decision. “His track record in developing players, his close work with youth academies, and his consistent ability to surpass expectations made him an obvious choice,” Bezhani stated in the club’s official announcement. Askou has not previously remained at a club for an extended period, with his longest tenure being just over one season at AC Horsens.
The appointment continues Toulouse’s recent trend of recruiting lesser-known talents, a strategy that has yielded positive results in recent transfer windows. The club has built a reputation for identifying and developing players from across the globe, and Askou’s relatively unheralded background fits that profile. Players like Branco van den Boomen, Stijn Spierings, and Santiago Hidalgo were largely unknown to many before joining Toulouse, and have since become key contributors.
This managerial change comes at a pivotal time for Toulouse as they look to build on their recent progress in Ligue 1. Askou’s experience in various European leagues and his focus on player development could prove crucial as the club aims to establish itself as a consistent force in French football. The appointment signals a clear intention from Toulouse to continue its innovative and globally-focused approach to team building.
