Football Dec 07, 2025

Celtic manager search: Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy finalising deal to become next Hoops boss

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Celtic manager search: Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy finalising deal to become next Hoops boss

Celtic are finalising the paperwork for Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy to become their new manager.

It's understood Nancy's assistant Kwame Ampadu is also set to join the Scottish champions.

The Hoops hope to complete the deals before the weekend, with Nancy due to take over next week.

Interim boss Martin O'Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney will remain in charge for Celtic's Europa League clash away to Feyenoord on Thursday, and are expected to be in the dugout for Sunday's game against Hibernian, live on SportNews.

In the last two years, Nancy has won the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup as well as being named MLS Coach of the Year. He also took Columbus Crew to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final last year.

Celtic see many similarities between Wilfried Nancy and Ange Postecoglou.

The former came recommended by the club's head of football operations, Paul Tisdale, who has been monitoring his progress for some time.

Postecoglou won titles in Australia and Japan, plus the Asian Cup with the Australian national team.

Nancy, younger than Postecoglou at the age of 48, has already won titles in America with Columbus Crew. He even took Crew 96 to the North American equivalent of the Champions League final. In just four years of management, Nancy has achieved success. This has come to the attention of Celtic, who feel he can make that next step into European football.

He's also said to be a strong character, like Postecoglou, which could lead to some passionate scenes on the touchline and interesting press conferences.

SportNews' Michael Shuel:

Nancy, 48, is available straight away following the conclusion of Columbus Crew's season. He has established himself as one of MLS's top coaches, earning the 2024 MLS Coach of the Year after narrowly missing out two years prior.

The Frenchmen led Columbus Crew to a domestic cup double, finished second in the league, and reached the CONCACAF Champions Cup final the season before.

His teams are known for their attacking, possession style and aggressive high press and he predominantly sets up with three centre-backs and two marauding wing-backs. Despite finishing seventh this season, Columbus still ranked first in the MLS for possession, progressive passes and final-third tackles.

Nancy's assistant, who could join him at Celtic, is Kwame Ampadu, who previously coached Exeter City U18s when Paul Tisdale, now Celtic's head of football operations, was the first-team manager.

Nancy would also find a familiar face at Parkhead in Alistair Johnston, whom he first signed at CF Montréal before the full-back's move to Celtic.

Montreal was Nancy's first senior head-coach role after spending a decade developing as a coach through their academy system. There, he broke multiple franchise records and lifted the 2022 Canadian Championship which saw them qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Tags:

football news id:13475728

Share this article

Related Posts

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final and by ending their wait for the Premier League title, the Gunners have removed the fea...

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers...Liverpool have sensationally reached out to Jurgen Klopp as they consider the future...

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

Thomas Tuchel has defended his England World Cup selection by insisting he has "specialists" in his squad ready to form a "brotherhood" to win the tou...

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

Ruthless Thomas Tuchel has left a number of high-profile names out of his England squad for the World Cup, while striker Ivan Toney has earned a shock...

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer after a trophy-laden decade in charge. "And what a time we have had together," said Guardiola in...

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy - now he's a Premier League champion

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy - now he's a Premier League champion

Mikel Arteta has admitted he questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy for Arsenal - claiming he was "vulnerable" before finally...