New Toulouse FC head coach Jens Berthel Askou has set a target of returning to European football ahead of their Ligue 1 opener against Lyon. The Danish manager takes charge of his first competitive match at the Stadium on the Île du Ramier on Saturday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 8:45 pm.
Speaking during a one-hour interview at the club's home ground on August 12, Askou explained that qualifying for European competition is a shared ambition across the organization. President Olivier Cloarec has made clear that finishing ninth, as Toulouse did in the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, is not sufficient for the club's ambitions.
Askou, 43, signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional season on May 21, 2026. The former Danish coach arrived to replace the outgoing management and oversee a tactical transition ahead of the new campaign.
Reflecting on pre-season preparation, Askou noted that the squad has adapted well to significant changes in playing style and coaching staff. Toulouse completed four friendly matches during the summer, remaining undefeated until a final pre-season loss against German side Hamburg.
European Ambitions and Club Objectives
Addressing the club's goals, Askou stated that while winning Ligue 1 is not realistic, securing a place in European competition remains an achievable objective. He emphasized that the primary target is to play an exciting, proactive brand of football that allows Toulouse to dominate matches and compete against all Ligue 1 opponents.
Askou highlighted complete alignment between himself, sporting director Viktor Bezhani, and president Olivier Cloarec. He stressed that everyone at the club is fully committed to improving on last season's performance and delivering a productive campaign for the supporters.
Tactically, Askou is implementing a 4-2-3-1 formation designed to maintain high intensity and aggressive pressing. He explained that his principles require moving the ball quickly, making incisive runs between opposition defensive lines, delivering crosses into the penalty area, and constantly varying the tempo of play to destabilize opponents.
Youth Academy and Transfer Strategy
A central factor in Askou's decision to join Toulouse was the reputation of the club's youth academy. He expressed enthusiasm for developing high-potential young players alongside experienced squad members, describing the academy as a vital foundation for the club's future.
Addressing the frequent departure of young talent, Askou described the modern football transfer process as polishing diamonds to sell them. He noted that football clubs require significant revenue to develop, making it necessary to nurture top prospects for one or two seasons before transferring them in accordance with market conditions.
Toulouse's squad has seen limited movement so far this summer, with departures restricted to Emersonn and Cresswell, while Diallo, Tapé, and 18-year-old Swedish winger Sion Oppong have joined the team. Askou remarked that while coaches prefer transfer windows to close by late June, he is prepared to adapt if further roster changes occur before the deadline.
Regarding prospective signings, Askou confirmed that discussions for a new center-forward are progressing in the right direction. For the central defensive unit, the transition from a three-man backline to a two-center-back system reduces squad requirements, leaving the club to evaluate whether to promote an academy graduate or recruit from elsewhere.
Several established players, including Guillaume Restes, Cristian Casseres, Aron Dönnum, and Yann Gboho, have been linked with potential exits. Askou stated that while sporting director Bezhani handles transfer inquiries, all four players remain fully engaged in team activities. Meanwhile, defender Dayann Methalie has attracted interest from multiple clubs, with Toulouse seeking a 40 million euro transfer fee, and Danish midfielder Thomas Jorgensen is close to arriving.
Goalkeeper Selection and Squad Depth
In the goalkeeper department, Toulouse features a unique situation where all four professional goalkeepers originate from the club's youth academy. Guillaume Restes, Justin Niflore, Mathys Saïd Mchindra, and Théo Collin make up the unit, a setup Askou noted he had never encountered before in his coaching career.
Although Collin wears the number one shirt, Askou declined to publicly confirm the starting goalkeeper hierarchy prior to informing the players. He promised that the decision would be communicated to the squad and media before Saturday's fixture against Lyon.
Integration and Life in Toulouse
Off the pitch, Askou has focused on building squad cohesion during a pre-season training camp. During a team integration evening, he opted to tell jokes in English rather than attempt a traditional song, praising the musical and dancing talents of his players and staff.
Since arriving in southwestern France two months ago, Askou has explored the Toulouse region with his family and coaching staff. He has visited local landmarks including the Dôme de La Grave, Saint-Étienne Cathedral, and the Musée des Augustins, while also taking trips to the Pyrenees mountains and Narbonne. He noted that while he enjoyed sampling local cassoulet despite 38-degree summer heat, he has yet to try foie gras.
Askou is also preparing to begin French language lessons, setting himself a personal goal of conducting press conferences in French within six months by the league's winter break at Christmas.
