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

Antoine Semenyo: Ghana's World Cup success depends on Man City star, says former Black Star Asamoah Gyan

Antoine Semenyo: Ghana's World Cup success depends on Man City star, says former Black Star Asamoah Gyan

It has been a successful and at times dramatic season for Antoine Semenyo. That will not let up this summer either with the Manchester City forward ex...

Tottenham transfer news: Roberto De Zerbi's transfer plans to rebuild Spurs this summer as Sandro Tonali deal targeted

Tottenham transfer news: Roberto De Zerbi's transfer plans to rebuild Spurs this summer as Sandro Tonali deal targeted

Never again. That was the promise made by Tottenham chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and non-executive chairman Peter Charrington after narrowly avoi...

England World Cup latest: Jamie Carragher says Thomas Tuchel can't afford to drop Declan Rice against Ghana despite fitness concerns

England World Cup latest: Jamie Carragher says Thomas Tuchel can't afford to drop Declan Rice against Ghana despite fitness concerns

Jamie Carragher says England can't afford to drop Declan Rice against Ghana despite concerns over his fitness, but believes Bukayo Saka should not be...

Man Utd secure land to build new 100,000 seater stadium as plans to leave Old Trafford gather pace

Man Utd secure land to build new 100,000 seater stadium as plans to leave Old Trafford gather pace

Manchester United have secured the majority of the land required to build their new 100,000-seater stadium as the club ramps up plans to create the la...

Wouter Vrancken: Hearts set to appoint Belgian coach as Derek McInnes' successor at Tynecastle Park

Wouter Vrancken: Hearts set to appoint Belgian coach as Derek McInnes' successor at Tynecastle Park

Hearts are set to appoint Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach.The 47-year-old, who was most recently in charge at Sint-Truiden, is expected to be...

Rangers: Derek McInnes faces touchline ban after criticising match officials while at Hearts

Rangers: Derek McInnes faces touchline ban after criticising match officials while at Hearts

Derek McInnes faces being banned from the touchline in his opening domestic games as Rangers manager after being hit with a disciplinary charge over c...