Nancy takes Celtic job and vows ‘exciting football’

After being appointed as Celtic’s new manager on a two-and-a-half year contract, Wilfried Nancy has pledged to bring “exciting, attacking, and winning football” to the table.

After being forced to leave Major League Soccer team Columbus Crew, the 48-year-old Frenchman will finally step in as interim boss on Thursday, taking over from Martin O’Neill.

The top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership match with Hearts at Celtic Park on Sunday, followed by Roma’s Europa League visit and St Mirren’s Cup final the following week, will be his first game in charge.

“I can’t wait to get going and join such a fantastic institution,” Nancy said.

My No. is “I am aware of what Celtic means to so many people. Our goal is simple: to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, and winning football team.

Since Brendan Rodgers left on October 27, and legendary former Celtic manager O’Neill took over as manager, Celtic had been looking for a new manager.

Under O’Neill’s leadership, the Parkhead club has won every domestic game, moving them two points clear of Hearts and making the League Cup final.

“I want to thank the greats Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill for everything they have done for the team recently,” Nancy continued.

“These guys have contributed a lot to the club over the years, and I know our fans all agree with me.”

Nancy began coaching in Canada after spending time in his native country.

Nancy took over at Montreal and helped them win the Canadian Championship in 2021 after Thierry Henry resigned as the team’s head coach.

In 2022, Nancy led the Ohio side to the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup, a competition between Mexican and American teams, last year, and he was also named MLS coach of the year.

However, they placed seventh overall and 12th overall this year.

He has managed 215 games overall in North America, and this would be his first managerial position in Europe.

“I want to thank Martin, Shaun, and the backroom team in the heart. With some fantastic outcomes both domestically and internationally, they have stabilized the team and restored a real level of confidence.

Chief Executive Michael Nicholson: “We have known about Wilfried and his high standard of work for a while. We are delighted that he has accepted to join the club.

He is incredibly excited about this chance to play a key role in Celtic’s future, I am certain. We will give Wilfried every assistance as we approach the difficulties that lie ahead, with the goal of ensuring that the club’s supporters receive the success they deserve.

Dermot Desmond, the club’s principal shareholder, said, “We think we have hired a very talented manager.” He has a real humility, understands the demands at Celtic, and has a strong sense of his own ideas, vision, and personal ambition.