Johansson Confident Motherwell Can Build on Success

Alfred Johansson has been unveiled as the new Motherwell manager, tasked with building on a successful campaign that saw the club finish fourth in the...

Jun 23, 2026 3 min read 32 views

Johansson Confident Motherwell Can Build on Success

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Johansson Confident Motherwell Can Build on Success

New Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has expressed confidence that his team can maintain the high standards set last season under predecessor Jens Berthel Askou, aiming to consolidate and build upon a fourth-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership.

The Swede, who arrived from Rosenborg, has been impressed by the squad’s professionalism in his first training sessions as they prepare for a Conference League qualifier against Havnar Boltfelag next month.

A Clear Philosophy and High Standards

Johansson inherits a side that thrived under Askou’s progressive style, which was a key factor in his appointment. The 35-year-old believes the club’s strategic alignment will ease the transition.

"That’s the good thing with having a strategy as a club and trying to go in the same direction, regardless of who the manager is," Johansson told Sky Sports.

He outlined a demanding approach: "I want intensity, I want tempo, I want to play out from the back, I want to be constructive in the way that we attack. We build attacks looking for advantages on an individual level, on a team level."

Johansson stressed the importance of collective strength, both when pressing high and defending deeper, but praised the existing foundations.

"The foundation is great. It’s a privilege to come to a well-run locker room, to a well-run training session. The first real football session that we had, they ran the show by themselves in a really nice manner."

Building on Askou’s Legacy

Askou earned a move to Ligue 1 side Toulouse after an impressive 12-month spell at Fir Park. Johansson is not here to overhaul but to fine-tune, acknowledging his own impact while respecting the squad’s autonomy.

"I am Alfred and I obviously have my ideas, which will affect how the team is expressed on the pitch."

His short-term aim is to navigate the European qualifier successfully, but the longer vision is sustained progression.

"The expectation is that we'll be able to continue, we'll be able to consolidate the level. That's what we're looking to do and try to build as much as possible on top."

Personal Commitment and a Scottish Connection

Johansson’s move to Scotland is a family affair. He revealed that he relocated with his pregnant wife, signaling a deep commitment to the project.

"I'll have a Scottish baby. For me, if my wife was not coming, I was not going to go. That she's here with me, it was a life decision for us. We feel really happy about it after coming here."

Remarkably, Johansson’s affinity for Motherwell dates back to 2017 when he attended a cup semi-final as part of a coaching course and watched them beat Rangers 2-0 at Hampden Park. He decided then: "I'm going to go for Motherwell in the future!"

Key Takeaways

Alfred Johansson is confident Motherwell can maintain the high standards set by predecessor Jens Berthel Askou.
The new manager has been impressed by the squad’s professionalism and existing tactical foundations.
Johansson wants his team to play with intensity, tempo, and a constructive attacking style while remaining defensively solid.
His personal commitment is underlined by relocating with his pregnant wife and expecting a Scottish-born child.
A long-held affection for the club stems from witnessing a memorable cup win over Rangers in 2017.