Wilfried Nancy: Update on Celtic deal and reaching agreement with Columbus Crew
Celtic will be able to finalise a deal to appoint Wilfried Nancy as their new manager when they come to an agreement on a compensation package with Columbus Crew.
Celtic have been linked with Wilfried Nancy as they aim to permanently replace Brendan Rodgers following his shock exit last month.
Football Insider recently revealed that Nancy is available to move to Celtic immediately after his Columbus Crew side were dumped out of the MLS play-offs, and he is now the frontrunner for the job.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the two clubs need to come to an agreement over compensation before the Frenchman can officially be appointed as the new boss at Parkhead.
Celtic and Columbus Crew must agree Nancy compensation
Nancy has been likened to Champions League-winning boss Luis Enrique for the attractive brand of football that he has played in the MLS.
He led Columbus to an MLS Cup triumph in 2023 and Leagues Cup in 2024, while also winning the league’s Coach of the Year award last year too.
Nothing has yet been confirmed on him taking over at Celtic, and an announcement can only be made once Celtic and Columbus come to an agreement on compensation, with Nancy under contract with the MLS club until December 2026.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Nancy is the strong favourite to replace Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. It’s been four weeks since Rodgers left now, so Celtic really need to get this situation resolved as soon as possible.
“It seems obviously that talks are ongoing between Nancy and Celtic. They were given permission by Columbus Crew to speak to him last week and it does seem that the two clubs are trying to thrash out a compensation package to get this deal done, but nothing is finalised as yet.
“Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney…could potentially still be involved for their Europa League game against Feyenoord.
“The longer it drags on, it’s not great for Celtic, but obviously Nancy is the man that the club have looked to try and bring in to replace Rodgers and obviously talks are ongoing.
“I think once this compensation deal can be agreed then finally they can get this deal over the line.”
Nancy plans to raid MLS upon Celtic arrival
Celtic currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership, seven points behind Hearts with a game in hand, so work clearly needs to be done in the January window to improve their squad.
Football Insider’s sources have revealed that Nancy is likely to utilise the MLS market in the new year if he is given the Hoops’ top job soon.
One of their new signings could be someone very familiar to the 48-year-old, with Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi previously linked to Celtic in the summer window.
Rossi scored 16 goals and picked up five assists in the MLS last season and has recently hinted at a desire to return to Europe, so may be set to follow his manager to Scotland soon.