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)
Celtic’s move for Wilfried Nancy is apparently moving closer. So we are being told…
Reports from France and the USA have been used to back up that claim but there is nothing of substance to pick up on.
Nothing more substantive that Michael Gannon’s report in the Daily Record six days ago.
Gannon reported that talks were at an advanced stage.
EXCLUSIVE TO THE RECORD
To be at an advanced stage you would suspect that Columbus Crew would be involved. The club that Nancy is contracted to for at least a year.
Gannon has added to the story from Nancy’s backroom team and potential signing targets. Every angle. He must have a lot of trust in the source feeding him the story.
In all honesty there has been nothing worthwhile since the Record report on November 14.
L’equipe and a few others have simply picked up on the reporting in the Record. Nothing new. No detail about talks taking place, compensation terms, who Nancy is bringing with him to Celtic.
On Tuesday, Michael Arace of The Disrespected reported:
From L’Equipe: “Wilfried Nancy is in very advanced negotiations with Celtic FC to replace Brendan Rodgers. The Scottish club must agree with the Columbus Crew to buy back the last year of the French coach’s contract.”
I’ve pored through all the reports (see below), made some phone calls and cogitated. Here is what seems clear:
This will get done. Wilfried Nancy will be the next coach of Celtic FC, which has the power, prestige and money to whip this deal down the stretch.
The Columbus Dispatch hasn’t touched the story since November 13. They haven’t followed up on the Record EXCLUSIVE!
Chris Doran is the voice of Columbus Crew, he provides the club’s own communications as well as wider work including Fox TV coverage of UEFA competition. On Tuesday there had been no approach from Celtic to Columbus Crew.
As of Noon today, no ?? club had asked permission to speak w/ #Crew96 HC Nancy (per his contract) according to GM Issa Tall.
Keep in mind, it can be “the Wild West” outside the US.
Full interview w/ Issa: Wed, 9p @1057alt & @iHeartRadio.
— Chris Doran (@ChrisDoran18) November 18, 2025
UPDATE?
Nancy to Celtic is discussed from the start of the podcast hosted by Doran. Crew General Manager Issa Tall confirms that there has been no approach for their first team coach.
Clearly the ‘ talks at an advanced stage’ story is an incredible stretch on the reality of the situation.
Having their coach recruited by Celtic would be great for Crew, it would help them recruiting future managers and coaches.
Tall was very clear about the position of his manager:
I was told that there was a report that said we gave permission to Celtic but in order to get permission, you have to ask. We haven’t had anything from that particular club.
We’ve never received something official. I’m not saying it’s something that couldn’t come in my mailbox in the next hour, but for now we haven’t heard anything.
That interview was scheduled for last Friday, the day that the Record broke their story. Doran wasn’t available.
Columbus Crew rearranged it for Tuesday lunchtime, they wanted it to go ahead, they wanted to get the news out.
Celtic have made no comment on Nancy or anyone else since they announced the resignation of Rodgers on October 27.
Anything is possible in football but as of Thursday morning Celtic Park Time there is nothing to suggest that Nancy is set to take over as Celtic manager.
Remember Celtic plc are world class in everything they do
Micheal Nicholson is on the case, he’ll waiting on all NED’s checking and returning his Email.
The new manager is Shaun Maloney ?
The longer Martin & Shaun are in charge the odds of (a incredible manager) Knutsen becoming our next manager increases, if this comes to fruition the club & fan group MUST get together and end the disagreements, culminating in a new level of success for the champions in 20 years……
HH
Editor: I don’t want to burst your bubble but no credible manager is going to join a club where a guy that managed Exeter decides on transfer targets, Michael Nicholson negotiates deals then emails directors for approval. That set up kind of narrows the field a bit.
Unveiling Lennon on Friday, I hear……
The longer this goes the more a hoax comes to mind and a darn pity at that joe. But who would want their arse ripped in public by a large shareholder who got away with doing it so very publically.
“…HC Nancy…”
Getting a Head Coach is not likely to help with the support’s frustration
with the inadequate transfer policy?
If he doesn’t get unveiled today 🙂 then mibbees the purpose of all the DR coverage
was to ‘prove’ that the Board had indeed conducted a global search,
[well a French chap in Canada],
and they’ve realised that the best option is already an employee…?
[Or, Ange.]
Just another Nancy bhoy. A placebo to dupe gullible Celtic fans.
This has got DD, liewell and nicholson stamped all over it,next press release will be we’re trying hard to get a manager but it’s proving impossible,so we’ll just approach Sean Maloney in the shower and give him the job,a load of money saved and a yes man for the managers job.
No substance.
But somehow sports journalists have told us of London meetings, and negotiations over compensation, and backroom staff. Don’t journalists check their sources and verify information anymore?
Editor: Messengers.
I’m what’ll be will be – But I’d have Martin and Sean for The Cup Final for sure !