Celtic FC Engages Columbus Crew for Wilfried Nancy’s Management Role

omidbasir- Celtic FC has officially reached out to the Columbus Crew regarding the potential appointment of Wilfried Nancy as their next manager, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to ESPN.

Nancy, 48, has been in discussions with Celtic for several weeks, although the reigning Scottish champions had not previously contacted the Crew. Recent developments indicate that both parties are now “working to finalize an agreement that’s trending towards Wilfried moving to the Scottish Premiership,” according to the source.

Additionally, conversations are underway concerning which members of Nancy’s coaching staff may accompany him to Glasgow.

Since Brendan Rodgers’ resignation on October 27, following a challenging start to the season, Celtic has been without a permanent manager. Martin O’Neill has assumed interim management responsibilities during this period.

The Crew had previously engaged in discussions with Nancy over the last few years to extend his contract, which is currently set to run through 2026, and to position him as the highest-paid manager in Major League Soccer (MLS). However, Nancy declined these offers, expressing his desire not to commit to a long-term deal and his aspirations to manage internationally.

Should the arrangement with Celtic be finalized, it would mark the end of Nancy’s impressive three-year tenure in Columbus, during which he led the team to victory in the 2023 MLS Cup and the 2024 Leagues Cup. Following the latter achievement, Nancy was honored as the MLS Coach of the Year.

In addition to this recognition, Nancy has been lauded for implementing an aesthetically pleasing, possession-oriented style of play with a team that ranked just outside the top third in player salary expenditures in 2025.

Moreover, Nancy previously enjoyed a successful tenure as manager of CF Montréal from 2021 to 2022, securing the Canadian Championship in 2021 after taking over from Thierry Henry. Before ascending to the managerial role, he dedicated ten years to Montreal, initially coaching in their academy before becoming an assistant to the first team in 2016. He parted ways with the team in December 2022 following a disagreement with owner Joey Saputo.

Nancy’s playing career featured stints at lower-league clubs, commencing with fourth-tier Toulon and including teams such as Beaucairois, Raon-l’Étape, Ivry, Noisy-le-Sec, Châtellerault, and Orléans.