Report: MLS manager in the frame to be next permanent Celtic boss | OneFootball

Wilfried Nancy: The Columbus Crew Visionary Who Could Transform Celtic

As Celtic continue their search for a new permanent manager, the name Wilfried Nancy has quickly risen to the forefront. The Columbus Crew head coach has built a reputation across Major League Soccer for his daring philosophy, sharp intellect, and relentless commitment to attractive football. His style, often described as a blend of tactical innovation and scientific precision, has caught the attention of clubs far beyond the United States.

Meteoric Ascent in North America

Nancy’s journey is one of remarkable acceleration. At 48, he has already achieved feats that many seasoned managers spend decades chasing. His first senior managerial post came in 2021 when he succeeded Thierry Henry at CF Montreal, a striking leap for someone who had only recently been coaching youth football.

“He has an idea of how he wants to play, it’s very brave, it’s very nuanced,” said former US striker and ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez. “It’s very New Age, modern football, in a crazy, mad scientist way. That’s who he’s been from day one, and it’s really gone well.”

Since that debut season, Nancy has won the Canadian Championship, MLS Leagues Cup and MLS Cup, confirming his place among the continent’s elite coaches. Born in Le Havre to a father from Guadeloupe and a mother from West Africa, he also made history as the first black head coach to lift the MLS Cup.

“They’d never had a black coach lift the MLS Cup, and he did it with a certain brand,” Gomez added. “Speak to his players and they’ll say the result is secondary, because he wants to implement the brand first, and the rest follows.”

Photo: IMAGO

Why Celtic Are Watching Closely

Celtic’s interest in Wilfried Nancy comes as no surprise. He has a proven record of success, his teams play fearless attacking football, and he has a professional link through his assistant at Columbus Crew, Kwame Ampadu, who worked with Celtic’s football operations chief Paul Tisdale at Exeter City.

“Celtic is a massive club, a massive brand,” Gomez explained. “Nowhere that he’s been, Montreal or Columbus, has he had the wallet he would have at Celtic. The goalkeeper has to play high off his line, the centre-backs are comfortable with the ball, and the wing-backs act almost like forwards. It’s creative, free-flowing football.”

Nancy’s approach echoes the positional dynamism of modern European sides. Gomez even likened his footballing philosophy to that of Champions League-winning coach Luis Enrique. “‘Relacionismo,’ they say in Spanish. It’s how you relate to space and movement. That’s Wilfried Nancy.”

Quick Results and Cultural Fit

One factor that may appeal most to Celtic’s hierarchy is Nancy’s ability to implement change rapidly. “He makes things work relatively fast,” Gomez said. “He’s hit the ground running in two different places, whether it’s Montreal or Columbus Crew.”

That adaptability, combined with his modern outlook and emphasis on expressive football, suggests a coach ready for a club of Celtic’s magnitude. Gomez summed it up simply: “You’re going to get a coach who has an identity and a way of playing that fans relate to, that fans feel proud of. You’re getting a winner.”

For Celtic, a club defined by its attacking heritage and demanding support, Wilfried Nancy may represent more than an option. He could be a statement.