Celtic next manager: ‘Strong favourite’ emerges in latest twist
Celtic have made Wilfried Nancy thier number one target as they aim to finally appoint a permanent manager.
Although former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Martin O’Neill is happy to stay at Celtic, it looks like the club are preparing for the next permanent manager.
Celtic are now on the hunt for Nancy, who has been likened to PSG manager Luis Enrique in his tactics and style of play.
Doubts have emerged over whether Nancy has enough experience to be Celtic manager, but the club are set to push forward in their pursuit of his signature.
‘Readily available’ Wilfried Nancy the frontrunner for Celtic job
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Hoops have shortlisted the Frenchman.
During his short managerial career with CF Montreal and Columbus Crew, Nancy boasts a 51 per cent win rate from 214 matches.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast over the Glaswegian side’s interest in the 48-year-old, I explained: “I think it’s fair to say that he’s probably the current strong favourite for the Celtic manager’s job, Wilfried Nancy.
“He is somebody who’s on their shortlist. He is readily available now that the Columbus crew have been knocked out of the MLS play-offs.
“So, he could become available to go straight into that job at Celtic as well.
“It would be something of a left field appointment as there’s not much known about Wilfried Nancy on these shores, especially as he’s never managed outside of America, no prior experience of European football or anything like that but, he has done a good job at Columbus Crew.
“He’s won the MLS Cup and League Cup there and he was named MLS coach of the year for 2024 as well so, lucky he’s got a decent pedigree in that respect.”
Nancy arrival could see U-turn in Daizen Maeda exit
If the Frenchman was to become the Bhoys’ new boss, it would bring a shake-up in terms of play style and personnel.
His arrival could potentially stop Daizen Maeda quitting Celtic for the Premier League, as exclusively revealed by Brown to Football Insider.
The Japan international has appeared to become disillusioned with the Hoops project and is eyeing up the chance to play in the English top-flight.
Football Insider tipped West Ham, Leeds and Brighton as possible destinations for Maeda in a potential January move.