Motherwell appoint Johansson as Askou successor

Alfred Johansson is the new manager of Motherwell, with the Swede aiming to build on the success of last season at Fir Park.

The 35-year-old takes over from Jens Berthel Askou, who led the club to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership before departing for Toulouse.

Johansson spent two-and-a-half-years in charge of Rosenborg in Norway before he was sacked in May.

Motherwell say they followed the "same data-driven process" that unearthed Askou and previous boss Michael Wimmer.

"The data plays a key role to ensure the game model aligns with how we want to play and continues our evolution, but the process is also blended with ensuring we bring good people to the club," said chairman Kyrk Macmillan.

"There is a strong belief that Alfred has the correct characteristics to lead and deliver on his ideas. He is a determined and ambitious young manager who wants to continue the success we had last season."

Motherwell picked up 61 points in Askou's one league campaign in Scotland, winning 16 of their 38 games.

They meet Havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands in the Conference League second qualifying round first leg on 23 July and open their Premiership campaign away to Hibernian on 2 August.

Johansson, who did not play professional football, began youth coaching in his homeland and worked as academy manager at Djurgardens.

He was youth manager in the second of his spells with FC Copenhagen, progressing to Under-19 level.

Rosenborg made him their head coach in December 2023 and he went on to win 71 of his 131 matches.

"I've analysed the club closely, and the direction that it's going in is of huge importance to me," said Johansson.

"Last season was hugely successful, and I want to be able to carry this success forward. The squad of players we have is exciting, and we will get to work straight away."

Askou has left big shoes to fill, with Motherwell losing their fewest number of top-flight games since 1959 and setting a new clean-sheet record for the club.

Compensation was paid when the Dane left for France and the Fir Park coffers are likely to be further swelled over the summer.

Elijah Just, Tawanda Maswanhise, Elliot Watt and Calum Ward all made the PFA Scotland team of the year, along with veteran Paul McGinn, and it will be a challenge to retain the quartet.

Emmanuel Longelo and Lukas Fadinger also caught the eye as Askou transformed Motherwell into a slick, adaptable, possession-based outfit.

The fan-owned club are in good financial shape from the sale of Lennon Miller last summer and increased attendances, so Johansson may not be facing the major rebuild many predict.

The new boss, who has degree in sports science and completed a postgraduate course in high-performance football coaching in Lisbon, also has a very solid grounding in youth development in Scandinavia.

This time last year, fans were dismayed by the abrupt departure of Wimmer and asking Jens who? Now expectations in the hiring process will be much higher.