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

World Cup 2026: Scotland assistant Steven Naismith 'very optimistic' about chances of progressing from group stages

World Cup 2026: Scotland assistant Steven Naismith 'very optimistic' about chances of progressing from group stages

100 days out from World Cup 2026, Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith is feeling “very optimistic” about his country’s chances of progressing bey...

Aberdeen head coach search: Sandro Schwarz in mix for Pittodrie job as Eirik Horneland deal stalls

Aberdeen head coach search: Sandro Schwarz in mix for Pittodrie job as Eirik Horneland deal stalls

Aberdeen are looking at other options for their managerial vacancy due to the delay in finalising a deal with Eirik Horneland. The Dons were , but he...

Danny Röhl believes Rangers aren't out of Scottish Premiership title race but Kris Boyd backs Hearts after Celtic draw

Danny Röhl believes Rangers aren't out of Scottish Premiership title race but Kris Boyd backs Hearts after Celtic draw

A defiant Danny Röhl believes Rangers are not out of the Scottish Premiership title race, but Your Site' Kris Boyd is now backing Hearts for the top s...

Tottenham new sporting director search: Paul Winstanley and Dougie Freedman targets - Paper Talk and transfer gossip

Tottenham new sporting director search: Paul Winstanley and Dougie Freedman targets - Paper Talk and transfer gossip

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUETottenham Hotspur have stepped up their hunt for a new sporting directo...

Race for the Champions League: Should Aston Villa be 'panicked' ahead of 'cup final' with Chelsea?

Race for the Champions League: Should Aston Villa be 'panicked' ahead of 'cup final' with Chelsea?

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was "dreaming" of the Premier League title only a few weeks ago, but now they face something of a 'cup final' with Chel...

Tottenham Hotspur: Igor Tudor's damning assessment of Spurs analysed after dismal defeat to Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur: Igor Tudor's damning assessment of Spurs analysed after dismal defeat to Fulham

In his first press conference as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Igor Tudor said he was 100-per-cent confident that Spurs would avoid relegation. Ten days...