Watch as Wilfried Nancy takes his first steps inside Celtic’s Lennoxtown HQ after quadruple agreement
Wilfried Nancy has arrived at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training ground just days before he takes charge of his first match.
Celtic surpassed a work permit issue to name Nancy as their next head coach on Wednesday, with the Frenchman joining from Columbus Crew.
The 48-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Celtic Park, and arrives ahead of his first role in European football.
Nancy will take charge as Celtic take on Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, in what will be a massive game against the league leaders.
Martin O’Neill served Celtic on an interim basis after Brendan Rodgers had resigned, leaving his successor with a team that have won five consecutive matches across all competitions.
Wilfried Nancy arrives at Lennoxtown
Former Arsenal midfielder Kwame Ampadu has joined Celtic as Nancy‘s assistant manager, with fitness coach Jules Gueguen and video performance coach Maxime Chalier also making the switch from Columbus Crew.
Nancy and Ampadu have worked together throughout the 48-year-old’s short managerial career, first at CF Montreal before joining Columbus together in 2022.
| Wilfried Nancy | Columbus Crew |
| Wins | 71 |
| Draws | 32 |
| Losses | 33 |
| Scored | 282 |
| Conceded | 201 |
But Celtic will be a unique challenge for both men, who are yet to dip their feet into European competition.
Nancy will hope to enjoy a stunning reception at Celtic Park on Sunday, with the Bhoys set to climb to the top of the Scottish Premiership if they can get past Hearts.
The former defender was pictured by Celtic on social media arriving at Lennoxtown training ground on Thursday, greeting staff and grinning from ear to ear as he surveyed his new home.
Nancy is expected to take his first training session on Thursday, as he prepares his squad for a huge game on Sunday.
Nancy hopes to personally thank Martin O’Neill for ‘fantastic’ job
Nancy arrives with a strong reputation for progressive and exciting football, with both Columbus and Montreal improving dramatically under the Frenchman’s guise.
The new Celtic boss made it clear that he wants to recreate that kind of football at Celtic Park, too, and was sure to thank O’Neill and Shaun Maloney in his first words after his appointment was confirmed.
“Before I say anything else I want to do one thing – I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team,” Nancy told Celtic.
“The job they have done has been fantastic. These guys have given so much to the club across so many years and I know our fans, like me, all recognise the brilliant job they have done during this recent period.
“They have my total respect and my total gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally.”
O’Neill has provided Nancy with a platform at Celtic, one he must now build off of as the Bhoys attempt to put a foggy period behind them.