Celtic FC’s Coaching Changes: A Reflection on Nancy’s Tenure

In a recent episode of the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Landon Donovan provided a candid evaluation of Franck Nancy’s tenure at Celtic FC.

“He’s much better than what it turned into at Celtic,” Donovan remarked. “From the outside, everything appeared to be set up for success; however, when results falter so quickly, there isn’t an opportunity to establish anything meaningful.”

Former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard also came to Nancy’s defense, suggesting that the short period of time should not tarnish his professional reputation. “Having a club like Celtic on your résumé opens doors everywhere, particularly in Major League Soccer (MLS),” Howard noted, advising Nancy to be patient and seek a project that offers both authority and stability instead of hastily accepting another challenging situation.

Nancy’s dismissal occurred shortly after Celtic finalized the acquisition of Mexican fullback Julián Araujo from Bournemouth. Araujo made his debut during the derby loss to Rangers and now faces the task of acclimating without the coach who advocated for his signing.

During his brief tenure, Nancy managed eight matches, achieving two wins and six defeats, with the decisive loss to Rangers marking a turning point in his tenure. Additionally, Celtic announced the departure of Paul Tisdale, the head of football operations, expressing gratitude for his contributions in an official statement.

Just hours after announcing Nancy’s exit, Celtic confirmed the return of Martin O’Neill as head coach for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. O’Neill, who previously led the club from 2000 to 2005, brings a wealth of experience, having secured seven trophies, including three Scottish Premiership titles.