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A remarkable run of one defeat in 20 league matches and 14 clean sheets in their scarcely credible title contention, Motherwell’s form tails off.
Nevertheless, Askou’s nine-month Premiership journey has felt like a linear path to success, with a European place within touching distance.
This did not apply to his managerial career, although demand was always sky high.
At Danish club Horsens, where Asko experienced top-flight promotion and relegation, the first day of his two-and-a-half-year spell left him walking around with a bean bag because he felt the facilities were not up to standard.
Sporting director Nils Erik Sondergaard, who signed the former Norwich and Millwall defender as a player for Esberg a decade ago, recruited him.
“He felt it was a bit dirty. He always wanted to clean and organize things around him,” Sondergaard told BBC Scotland, recalling Askew ducking in and out of bushes to collect fast food rubbish.
“He wasn’t born with the greatest talent as a player, but he made up for it with dedication, hard work and mentality. We saw that when he was the head coach. I knew he would go on to great things.”
Mikael Frankoč, who played under Askew at Vendsyssel and HB Tórshavn, remembers his “demanding yet understanding” former coach during pre-season training.
“He was always running up front, showing us how it should be done,” said the Midtjylland youth coach. “He’s a guy you look up to. He’s changed the culture at every club he’s been to.”
Francois sees Askew as a coaching inspiration but recalls being left out rudely as Vendsyssel closed in on promotion.
“He told me some things he wasn’t happy about,” he says. “When I was playing again he had the hunger to show. I played my best game afterwards.
“He has a good sense of who to play and why they should play. He has an influence on the players, helping them to be the best version of themselves.”
