Assuming he secures the major move this summer that he deserves, Jens Berthel Askou ought to leave Motherwell with one significant grievance gnawing at him — and it is not being excluded from the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award.
It is the fact that the Scottish Cup was there for the taking for the Steelmen this season, and he squandered it by selecting the wrong team at Aberdeen.
Make no mistake, this has been a special campaign at Fir Park. The board deliberately chose a manager last summer who would attract crowds, and he has undoubtedly delivered.
The way Askou has coached this team and their style of play has been an absolute revelation and a joy to witness. Having five players in the Premiership Team of the Year and two members of his squad up for Player of the Year tells you everything you need to know. The manager has been brilliant.
Yet, it is hard to reflect on the last nine months without repeatedly dwelling on that chaotic night at Pittodrie in mid-February.
Askou and his players were furious with the red cards shown to Oscar Priestman and Liam Gordon. However, the main issue was that Askou simply got his selections wrong. Goalkeeper Calum Ward, part of that PFA Team of the Year, did not start. Elliot Watt, also in the Team of the Year, did not start. Emmanuel Longelo, who scored twice at Ibrox last weekend, did not start. Callum Slattery did not start.
Rookie goalkeeper Matty Connelly made costly errors early on, and it was an uphill struggle from there — even after Aberdeen were reduced to ten men.
When questioned by yours truly about the changes to his lineup afterwards, Askou was defiant. He had been rotating all season, he said. Anyone who watched them regularly would know that, he claimed. It did not really hold water.
Motherwell fans will always look back on this term with great fondness. Yet, they cannot possibly watch Dunfermline — who comprehensively defeated that gutless, cowardly, poor-value Aberdeen side — prepare for a cup final with Celtic and not think it should have been them.
Askou has transformed players' careers this season. There is no doubt he has made significant progress as a coach. He has turned Motherwell into a club with numerous sellable assets and the potential to build a strong financial foundation.
However, for all that, the Dane must surely leave the campaign having learned a crucial lesson for the future. When facing your biggest game of the season by a considerable margin, you keep it simple and select your strongest team. End of story.
