Jens Berthel Askou

Jens Berthel Askou (born 19 August 1982) is a Danish professional football manager and former player. He is currently assistant coach for Czech First League club Sparta Prague.

Askou has played for a number of Danish clubs before moving abroad, first to Turkish club Kasımpaşa and then to Norwich City in England, before moving back to Denmark to play for Vejle Kolding and Esbjerg.

Club career
Born in Videbæk, Askou began his career at Ikast FS before moving to Holstebro Boldklub in 2002. His performances led to a contract with 1st Division Silkeborg IF in the summer of 2003, following a successful trial. He helped the club regain promotion to the Danish Superliga during his first season, and became a regular for four years. In 2007, Askou failed to agree a new deal with SIF, which led to a move to Turkish football with Kasımpaşa.

Kasımpaşa finished bottom of the 2007–08 Süper Lig, with Askou appearing frequently and scoring twice. However, despite Askou's own goal in the playoffs semi-final, the club returned to the top flight at the first attempt in 2008–09. His contract was not renewed the following summer.

Norwich City
In July 2009, Askou linked up with English League One club Norwich City on their pre-season tour of Scotland. He impressed suitably with his defensive displays in the club's friendly matches, also managing to score with a header against Airdrie United. Then manager Bryan Gunn confirmed on 27 July he had offered Askou a contract. It was revealed on 30 July that Askou had signed a two-year deal with Norwich. He made his debut in a 4–0 win over Yeovil Town in the League Cup on 11 August, helping to keep a clean sheet. Four days later, he scored on his league debut as Norwich drew 1–1 with Exeter City. Askou became a regular starter for Norwich until picking up a metatarsal injury in a league game against Yeovil in December, which kept him out until May 2010.

He scored a header against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup in August 2010; a game which Norwich lost 3–1. Askou's opportunities at Norwich were limited in the 2010–11 season, making only two Championship starts in the first half of the campaign.

In January 2011, Askou moved to fellow Championship side Millwall on a one-month loan. He was sent off on his debut against Leicester City for a two-footed lunge on Yakubu. This was his only appearance for the club and he returned to Norwich in February. He did not appear again for his parent club either and was released by the club at the end of the season after his contract expired.

Vejle Boldklub Kolding
Askou signed a two-year contract with Danish first division team Vejle Boldklub Kolding in August 2011. During his time a Vejle, he scored six goals in 55 appearances and was appointed club captain in the summer of 2012.

Askou signed a two-year deal with Esbjerg in the Danish Superliga on 2 August 2013 for an undisclosed fee.

Coaching and later career
In 2015, Askou became playing assistant manager at Skive IK. A year later he took up the same position at Thisted FC.

In June 2017, Askou became Erik Rasmussen's assistant manager at Vendsyssel FF. On 8 May 2018, Rasmussen resigned as manager and was replaced by Askou. After an overall defeat against AC Horsens in the Danish Superliga relegation play off games, Askou and his staff was fired on 20 May 2019.

In October 2019, Askou signed with Denmark Series 4 amateur club TIF All Stars.

In the beginning of November 2019, it was confirmed that Askou would become the manager of HB Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands starting from 1 December 2019. One year later, on 5 December 2020, he had won the double with HB Tórshavn by first winning the Faroe Islands Premier League and then the Faroe Islands Cup. He also won the honour as the best football manager 2020 in the Faroe Islands, chosen by the Venjarafelag Føroya (Faroese Association of Football Managers).

In January 2021, he left Tórshavn to become new manager of struggling Danish Superliga club AC Horsens.

In June 2023, he left AC Horsens to become the new head coach of Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg.

In June 2024, Askou left IFK Göteborg to become an assistant coach of Czech First League club AC Sparta Prague.

Personal life
Askou is married to Rikke. The couple have three children – Julius, Cornelius and Augusta. Julius and Cornelius attend the International School Ikast-Brande in Ikast, Denmark.

Player
Silkeborg IF
 * Danish 1st Division: 2003–04

Kasımpaşa
 * TFF 1. League Playoffs Winners: 2008–09

Norwich City
 * League One: 2009–10
 * Championship runners-up: 2010–11

Manager
Havnar Bóltfelag
 * Faroe Islands Premier League: 2020
 * Faroe Islands Cup: 2020
 * Won the Double in Faroese football: 2020

Individual

 * Faroe Islands Premier League Manager of the Year: 2020