Wilfried Nancy meets three Celtic youth stars on first day
Wilfried Nancy’s first day in charge of Celtic saw him greeting youth players and exploring the training ground.
Celtic confirmed the appointment of Nancy on Wednesday, with the Frenchman set to be joined by several staff members from Columbus Crew.
Former Arsenal midfielder Kwame Ampadu will serve as assistant coach, while Maxime Chalier and Jules Gueguen have also joined.
Nancy was pictured arriving at Lennoxtown training ground on Thursday, ahead of his first training session with the players.
On Sunday, Nancy will oversee his first game in charge of Celtic, when the Bhoys host Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Wilfried Nancy questions youth stars on first day
Nancy only began his managerial career in 2021, with the Celtic job set to be his first venture into European management.
As his age would suggest, the Frenchman favours a modern style of coaching that has seen his teams play exciting, attacking football.
Trust in the youth is also a prominent feature of Nancy’s philosophy, with several of the 48-year-old’s previous players going on to play in Europe.
The new Celtic boss was pictured on his first day greeting three academy players and asking them several questions.
Centre-back Hayden Borland, striker Lucas Clearie, and goalkeeper Corey Shaw were all asked about their qualities by Nancy.
The Frenchman first asked each player to describe a quality of one of their teammates, before he asked them to outline something that they could all improve on.
What players has Nancy developed?
Djordje Mihailovic is one player to have developed under Nancy, and to great effect. The midfielder enjoyed two superb seasons under the Frenchman at CF Montreal, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 2022.
His performances convinced Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar to buy the American in a deal worth around £4.5million, but the move would last just a year before personal issues brought him back to the United States.
Ismael Kone was another young player to have featured under Nancy, with the Canada international making 32 appearances for Montreal before he was snapped up in a £4m deal by Watford.
Just 18 months later, Marseille would agree a £15m deal to sign the midfielder, who is now on loan at Serie A club Sassuolo.