Celtic are close to appointing Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy as their new manager.
Negotiations with the 48-year-old are understood to be at an advanced stage.
The Hoops are also in talks with Nancy’s recommended backroom team, which is likely to include a coach familiar with Celtic and Scottish football.
Celtic also need to agree compensation with Columbus Crew.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill and assistant Sean Maloney are expected to remain in charge for Thursday’s Europa League away game against Feyenoord and Sunday’s live match against Hibernian in Edinburgh.
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Celtic caretaker manager Martin O’Neill has described his reaction after Callum McGregor’s late winner against St Mirren.
All is well and Celtic hope to welcome Nancy as their new manager next week.
In the past two years, Nancy has won the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup and was named MLS Coach of the Year. Last year, he led the Columbus Crew to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final.
Why do Celtic want Nancy?
Celts believe there are many similarities between Wilfried Nancy and Ange Postecoglou.
The latter was recommended by the club’s head of football operations Paul Tisdale, who had been following his progress for some time.
Postecoglou won titles in Australia and Japan, and also won the Asian Cup with the Australian national team.
Ange Postecoglou won five trophies in two seasons at Celtic
Nancy is younger than Postecoglou at 48 years old and has already won an American title with the Columbus Crew. He also took Crew 96 to the North American Champions League finals. Nancy achieved success after only four years in business. This has caught the attention of Celtic, who feel they can take the next step into European football.
He is also said to have a strong Postecoglou character, which could lead to passionate scenes on the touchline and interesting press conferences.
What do we know about Nancy?
Nancy led the Columbus Crew to seventh place in the MLS Eastern Conference last season.
Michael Schuell of Sky Sports:
Nancy, 48, will be available immediately after the Columbus Crew season ends. He has established himself as one of the top coaches in MLS, winning the 2024 MLS Coach of the Year award after narrowly missing out two years ago.
The Frenchman led the Columbus Crew to two domestic cups, a second-place finish in the league and a trip to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final the previous season.
His teams are known for their attacking, possession style and aggressive high pressing, setting up primarily with three centre-backs and two phenomenal wing-backs. Despite finishing seventh this season, Columbus still ranks first in MLS in possessions, progressive passes and final third tackles.
Nancy signs with Alistair Johnston and CF Montreal before moving to Celtic
Nancy’s potential assistant at Celtic is Kwame Ampadu, who coached Exeter City’s Under-18s when Paul Tisdale, now Celtic’s head of football operations, was first-team manager.
Nancy also finds a familiar face in Parkhead, Alistair Johnston. He was the full-back’s first signing at CF Montreal before moving to Celtic.
Montreal was Nancy’s first senior head coaching role after spending 10 years developing as a coach through the academy system. There, he broke multiple franchise records and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League at the 2022 Canadian Championship.
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures
Feyenoord (A) – Europa League – Thursday Hibernian (A) – Scottish Premiership – Sunday – Live on Sky Sports Dundee (H) – Scottish Premiership – 3 December Hearts (H) – Scottish Premiership – 7 December – Live on Sky Sports Roma (H) – Europa League – 11 December St Mirren (N) – League Cup Final – December 14 days
