Chris Sutton insists that if Wilfried Nancy is appointed next Celtic manager, Hoops supporters will have to show some patience…
MLS All-Star head coach Wilfried Nancy addresses members of the media during the MLS All-Star Press Conference at Lower.com Field on July 22, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Sutton has called on Celtic supporters to back Nancy and give him time to settle if he takes over, pointing to Ange Postecoglou’s journey from initial doubt to becoming a modern-day icon for the club.
Amid increasing speculation, there is still no solid indication that Celtic are nearing an appointment to replace Brendan Rodgers.
Nancy and Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen remain among those mentioned, though Knutsen is thought to favour staying in Norway until Bodo’s Champions League fixtures finish, which would delay any potential move until late January.
New manager Ange Postecoglou poses for a photo at Celtic Park Glasgow. Photo Jeff Holmes
During an appearance on the RecordSport podcast, Sutton highlighted how swiftly perceptions can shift when positive results arrive, citing Postecoglou’s rise from relative obscurity to a Treble-winning hero as an example.
Sutton said: “You know, when Ange Postecoglou came in, he took a lot of flack, didn’t he? Because nobody had ever heard of him and dismissed his track record.”
“I don’t know how people would view Knutsen’s track record and what he’s achieved at Bodo, the fact that he’s gone deep in European competitions before, I think, you know, certainly would bode well.”
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen of Bodo Glimt looks on prior to the UEFA Europa Conference League Play-Off second leg match between Crvena Zvezda and Bodo Glimt at stadium Rajko Mitic on August 28, 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
“If Wilfred Nancy is the choice then, you know, you’ve got to give him a chance, give him an opportunity. I think any manager taking over this current squad has the work cut out.”
Nancy is now available following Columbus Crew’s early playoff MLS elimination. He is regarded as an innovative coach admired for his attacking, possession-driven style and proven ability to nurture talent.
With players returning from the international break next week, clarity on the situation should begin to emerge in the next few days, giving supporters a better idea of what is unfolding and if the managerial process will conclude anytime soon.
Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
If no agreement can be reached then we have the perfectly acceptable short-term solution already in place with Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney having won all three domestic fixtures since stepping in to replace Brendan Rodgers at the end of October.
Conor Spence
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