ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy reacts during the MLS match between Columbus Crew and Atlanta United FC on September 13th, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Stephen McGowan has confirmed that Wilfried Nancy was recommended for the Celtic job by Paul Tisdale.
Late this afternoon Michael Gannon of the Daily Record provided a very assertive report that a deal for the Columbus Crew boss was at an advanced stage.
With four years experience of management in the MLS on his CV there is a high element of risk in the move.
THE RISK FACTOR
Any change in mid-season is difficult to cope with. Nancy is going to need a lot of help if he takes charge with trips to St Mirren, Feyenoord and Hibs coming up over a nine day period.
Tisdale has the title of Head of Football Operations at Celtic, a post he took up last October.
Almost all of Tisdale’s football experience comes from managing Exeter.
Now it seems that Celtic are about to put their faith in a combination forged between Exeter and the MLS.
In the Herald/Celtic Way McGowan reports:
Wilfried Nancy is Celtic’s first choice to become the club’s new manager.
The Columbus Crew coach was recommended for the post by head of football operations Paul Tisdale.
And, pending the outcome of final discussions with Dermot Desmond, the Parkhead board could push through an agreement over compensation before their Annual General Meeting on Friday.
The 48-year-old could then be in the place for the away league game at St Mirren 24 hours later.
The style of Gannon’s report suggests that the deal is well down the road.
Famously in 2023 Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay travelled to Mallorca to discuss the return of Brendan Rodgers.
FIXTURE RUN
This time there has been no suggestion of the Celtic executives travelling to the USA or of Nancy in the UK.
Celtic are unlikely to make any comment until a deal is signed off. Nancy will require a work permit to be employed in Scotland with Shaun Maloney likely to remain involved in the short term to provide some continuity.
Before the turn of the year Celtic have 10 demanding fixtures to get through including two Europa League ties and the League Cup Final.
Very quickly judgements will be made on the new manager in charge of a squad hampered by injuries and struggling in the SPFL Premiership and Europa League.
Columbus Crew have granted permission for their boss Wilfried Nancy to speak to Celtic over their managerial vacancy ? pic.twitter.com/8Ne62riiYn
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 14, 2025
What does the American know about Scottish football?
What would basically anyone we hire know about Scottish football if they aren’t from here?
What did Ange know? Brendan 1st time around?
Sometimes a leap of faith is required and since it seems he’s not the board’s own choice, I’m right behind him.
He is french what do you know about him.
What did a certain Australian know about Scottish football? For the record he’s French
Different in Scotland, and the pressure of managing in Glasgow may be too much of a leap for this guy. If they are going on the advice of Tidsdale, then it’s a big risk as we all know the dross he’s brought in
“Wilfried, Oh Wilfried Nancy,
Wilfried Nancy On The Wing!”
Ah, alas he was a mid-fielder though!
This does not auger well, seems like a typical cheapskate option from the board.
How is finishing 7th in the MSL experience enough to manage a high profile team like Celtic,as for tisdale all his experience comes from Exeter city,oh dear and English league 1 club and soccer club from America,I know Ange was virtually unknown at the time but he had much more experience with club and international football.i hope this guy turns us down or the board don’t like him,we must be able to entice better than him ,are we even trying to talk to Bodo,Brugge or Ipswich and sound out their managers.
Get real ffs. Bodo manager could walk backwards to a better option than us right now. Why would the Brugge manager want to downgrade from what he’s got and McKenna on long term deal and probs pish anyway.
So Hendo we’ve just to settle for some guy with MSL experience because he’s probably a lot cheaper than anyone else,how do we know what Bodo or Brugge or Ipswich managers may say if we don’t even try .The way you are talking is probably right though because the SPFL is a joke,but we should try and aim a little higher,this guy Nancy is known to DD so that’s why we’re going for him and he’ll not cost much .
I agree Jim, on paper we would be better off sticking with Martin O’Neill and Maloney
Celtic are not a great option for good coaches now. Our choices have become limited. The board kid is on. We are nowhere near being world class with the incompetents who hold sway at our club. I include DD in that.
This is a modern man , a modern coach with moderen ideas of good football.
Calm down and watch, all that needs happen is that directors move on and he helps with restruturing of the football dept
Editor: Pass those magic beans. Lawwell, Allison and Wilson all up for re-election to give their backing to our spineless CEO.
Trying to be objective:
what would be the point in making an ‘enlightened’ – if relatively risky – managerial appointment,
IF the Board, and operational structure remain unchanged?
Unchanged – and unfit for purpose in the eyes of many supporters.
Nancy, you’ll have to pronounce it Nauncey, played for six years for eight French teams nobody here has heard of before and commanded Nil Euros of Transfer Capital in that time!
He managed two teams for a season each, in North America and won two cups!
That is it!
But, Hey Experience Isn’t Everything!
Right!?