Celtic left reeling by ‘disaster’ amid explosive Wilfried Nancy rant
Wilfried Nancy does not understand the demands of being Celtic manager after what he did against Hearts.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen and Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Nancy used a tactics board pitch-side during Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts.
The match at Celtic Park was Nancy’s first in charge of the Glasgow giants following his appointment from MLS side Columbus Crew.
Martin O’Neill had a successful spell as Celtic’s interim manager, and many believe the 73-year-old should have remained in charge for the top of the table clash.
Wilfried Nancy made ‘misjudged’ move
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks Nancy needs to quickly adjust to the demands of being Celtic boss.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the Frenchman has made a terrible first impression on his managerial capabilities to the club’s supporters.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and I’m afraid that one chance was wasted. It was a disaster, I thought, for Wilfred Nancy in terms of, right, the tactics board.
“It smacked of MLS, it smacked of somebody that doesn’t understand what he’s walking into. The MLS is where I think it was summed up perfectly when they said, look, in the MLS, you can not do that well, but you’ll be praised for trying your best.
“I’m afraid at the Old Firm there is none of that, I’m afraid. You either win or you don’t. And to lose against Hearts in his first game, and the way he did it on the pitch, and to change that formation for the first game just seemed to be misjudged.”
Nancy under pressure in Europe
Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Europa League did Nancy no further favours in endearing himself to the fanbase.
The 48-year-old stuck with his preferred three at the back formation, but the Italian side claimed a comfortable victory.
The defeat leaves Celtic with work to do in their remaining two Europa League games, with a trip to Bologna and a home clash with Utrecht to come.