By Luciano Zecchino

After the controversial departure of Brendan Rodgers from the Scottish Champions, followed by a harsh statement by board member Dermot Desmond, Celtic have gone through with Martin O’Neill alongside Shaun Maloney as interim coaches while the search continues for a responsible new manager.

As the search continues, many coaches have appeared on Celtic’s radar, including French international Wilfried Nancy, who has caught some of the Celtic support by surprise. Nancy, who is current first team manager in MLS with American outfit Columbus Crew and has been for the last three years, has introduced a different style of football in MLS which has caught many followers' eyes.

Wilfried Nancy by Dustin Satloff via Getty Images

The Frenchman began his managerial career in 2021 with MLS side CF Montreal, which shocked many as only a few years earlier he was coaching at U14’s girl's level. The opportunity opened for Nancy in March 2021, after resignation of footballing legend Thierry Henry.

After only seven games in charge at the club, Nancy was offered a contract extension, as his attractive brand of football pleased many involved with the club. Nancy led Montreal to the 2021 Canadian Championship Final in his first year, defeating giants Toronto to qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.

In Nancy’s second season, a CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final defeat to Cruz Azul and shock defeat against bottom of the league Sporting KC, sparked an altercation between Nancy and club owner Joey Saputo. The Frenchman narrowly missed out on the MLS coach of the year award in 2022.

Nancy then took the opportunity offered to him to become head coach of Columbus Crew in December 2022. Nancy led Crew to an impressive 3rd place finish in his first season, which excited supporters. Columbus Crew defeated defending champions Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup Final, also followed by glory in the Leagues Cup. Nancy has impressed in MLS, keeping Columbus Crew challenging for glory.

Columbus crew defeat Los Angeles FC in MLS Cup 2023 by Maddie Meyer via Getty Images

Wilfried Nancy has not had any managerial experience in Europe, which puts slight doubts within the minds of Celtic fans. However, Celtic have kept Nancy on their radar due to his unique and brave style of football which he could bring to Scotland. Former USA striker Herculez Gomez has followed Nancy’s journey in the MLS has expressed he is ‘not surprised’ that Nancy has appeared highly on Celtic’s radar.

Gomez also gave an insight on what Celtic fans should expect if they take on Wilfried Nancy: “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 coach who knows what he’s doing, you’re getting a coach who wants to express himself on the field and you’re getting a winner,” Gomez added.

The former USA striker has described Nancy as a ‘winner’ and speaks extremely highly of the Columbus Crew boss, as he believes Nancy has the ability to create an instant impact and fans should expect success quickly.

Gomez also amazingly compared Wilfried Nancy to the legendary Champions League winning Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique, while trying to describe Nancy’s unique footballing style: “If I could get somewhere close to his brand, it would be Luis Enrique’s PSG. Enrique bases his philosophy off the interpretation of space, time and movement. There are no set positions.”

Columbus crew by Maddie Meyer vis Getty Images

Wilfried Nancy’s go to shape at Columbus Crew has been proven to be a 3-4-2-1, which is completely different to the fashion Celtic have played in recent years. If Celtic go through with Nancy, this style will be new to the Scottish Champions and could take some getting used to, but Herculez Gomez was adamant for Celtic fans to expect a fast start and quick success.

The question remains 50/50 if Nancy is the correct man for the job in Glasgow, as the Champions go through a rough time and are becoming under the risk of losing the league title for the first time in almost five years. Celtic understand the decision from the board must be correct as it is crucial a manager can change the form and mindset of this current Celtic side. Can Wilfried Nancy fulfil this huge role in turning Celtic’s season around?

Wilfried Nancy - Is he the man for the job?