Jens Berthel Askou, the new coach of Toulouse FC

Toulouse Football Club has appointed Jens Berthel Askou as its new coach in May. The Dane is 43 years old and has been appointed to lead the Violets in Ligue 1. He has already experienced his baptism by fire in L1 with the reception of Lyon on August 22.

Who are Jens Berthel Askou's idols?

When asked which idols he had posters of in his childhood bedroom, Jens Berthel Askou's eyes light up. "The first player who made me love football was Diego Maradona. A winner who carried his team. At the same time, he had fun on the starry path. He will never lose his side as a young boy who fell in love with the round ball. That's why children could identify with him, the King Diego."

What are Jens Berthel Askou's sources of inspiration?

"Apart from that, he continues without being asked to retort, my favorite team was Barcelona. Yes, but Barcelona of Cruyff (1988-1996) with (Michael) Laudrup, Romario, Stoichkov: these footballers were so dominant at the time."

What are Jens Berthel Askou's sources of inspiration?

"Full, he responds immediately, there are many. I loved the teams of Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool (2015-2024): the pressing was fantastic. Pep Guardiola, Catalan period (2008-2012) then Bavarian (2013-2016), had the art of controlling the debates. Then, at ManCity (2016-2026), he impressed me with his ability to 'destroy' the opposing team, block team low, by fantastic movements in the small perimeters. After, naturally, Luis Enrique at PSG for four seasons now is a model of dynamism and intensity: my little sins, you know it now..."

What are Jens Berthel Askou's sources of inspiration?

"Diego Simeone, at Atlético de Madrid, I will also cite him for his defensive individual and collective discipline to frisk perfection. Again, Simone Inzaghi, and his Inter Milan (2021-2025), of a power quite vertiginous… Otherwise, I would like to make a special dedication to Bodo/Glimt, an example of a small club capable of opposing the big cylinders. With a basic structure, values, and style. And, always in the background, this concern to build something over time. This corresponds to my philosophy."

What does Jens Berthel Askou like to do outside of football?

"What I do when the ball doesn't captivate me (he looks up to the sky)… The silence in nature. In the mountains or in the forest. I like to swim in lakes, we have a house in Denmark… Regeneration session, we say, in family with wife and children. That's the ideal: the head has all the leisure to rest."

Toulouse Football Club is currently 10th in Ligue 1 with 41 goals scored and 42 goals conceded. They are 26 points behind the leaders Paris Saint-Germain.