Jens Berthel Askou has attracted significant praise and appears likely to become a highly sought-after figure as his former club consider him for their next managerial appointment.
The in-demand Askou is being seriously evaluated for a remarkable return to Copenhagen following the departure of the man who originally brought him in.
Jacob Neestrup has been relieved of his role, with the Danish giants sitting in the lower half of the Superliga table despite having secured two league titles in recent seasons.
Askou has received widespread recognition for his achievements at Motherwell, where the Steelmen are challenging for European spots while impressing fans with an attractive, possession-focused style of play.
The 43-year-old is also listed among the leading contenders to take over at Celtic, but it is understood that he remains highly regarded at Copenhagen, where former Rangers figure Nils Koppen was recently installed as technical director.
The Dane previously spent six months working as Neestrup’s assistant before making the move to Motherwell last summer, and he is anticipated to receive numerous offers.
After confirming Neestrup’s exit, a Copenhagen statement read: “We have had a good and honest dialogue about the situation, and we completely agree on the conclusion: We have reached the end of the road in a good collaboration, and FC Copenhagen must have a new head coach. We are playing qualifying games and are overall No. 8 in the Super League, so we are very far from fulfilling our sporting ambitions.
“It’s not just anyone we’re saying goodbye to today, and it’s a tough decision to part ways – even if it’s the right thing to do. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a reunion Nees is one of our own, and he has left a huge mark on FC Copenhagen. We are all very grateful for his great commitment and dedication to the club,”
Askou remains contracted at Fir Park until 2027, and he has played down speculation linking him with Celtic, as the struggling Premiership champions prepare for a significant rebuild in the summer.