Celtic are reportedly close to appointing Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy as their new manager, with discussions between the Scottish champions and the French coach reaching advanced stages.
The club has been searching for a permanent manager since Brendan Rodgers resigned last month. In the interim, former manager Martin O’Neill, assisted by Shaun Maloney, has overseen the past five matches. O’Neill has won all four domestic fixtures but suffered defeat against Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Celtic currently trail Heart of Midlothian by four points at the top of the Scottish Premiership, though they have a game in hand. Their next European challenge comes on Thursday against Feyenoord in the Europa League, where they have accumulated four points so far. Celtic will also defend the Premier Sports Cup next month against St Mirren, who were beaten 1-0 at home by O’Neill’s side in the league on Saturday.
If Nancy is appointed, he will step into the role amid growing tensions between the club and its supporters. Celtic’s annual meeting was recently abandoned after shareholders jeered Ross Desmond, son of major shareholder Dermot, amid chants calling for the board to be sacked. O’Neill has called for “some sort of unification” following fan protests over club management.
Who is Wilfried Nancy?
Nancy played professionally in France, including a spell with Toulon, before moving into coaching in Canada. After Thierry Henry resigned as Montreal’s head coach in 2021, Nancy took charge and led the team to the Canadian Championship that same year.
In 2022, he moved to Columbus Crew, guiding them to the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024, earning MLS Coach of the Year honors. However, this season the Crew finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and 12th overall.
Nancy has managed 215 games in North America, and a move to Celtic would mark his first managerial role in European football.
