Celtic have identified Wilfried Nancy as their leading candidate for the managerial position…
Celtic’s Head of football operations Paul Tisdale put forward the Columbus Crew manager as a leading candidate for the role. Now, as per Stephen McGowan writing in The Herald, pending the final talks with Dermot Desmond, the Celtic board may move to finalise a compensation deal before next Friday’s Annual General Meeting at Celtic Park.
The 48-year-old could potentially take charge in time for the away league match at St Mirren the following day. Should Nancy become the next Hoops manager, his first game at Celtic Park won’t be until next month.
Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit prompted Celtic to begin a manager hunt, with Nancy featuring among several options such as Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane, Wales coach Craig Bellamy and Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen.
Martin O’Neill accepted a short-term role, meeting with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond yesterday to discuss the direction Celtic are taking with their next boss.
Speaking to local BBC Belfast on Thursday, O’Neill said: “I am not party to anything that is happening with the board talking to prospective clients and things like this, nor do I want to be because that has never been a remit of mind.”
“My job was to come in and hold the fort and the minute that someone is appointed I will step aside.”
“And if that was tomorrow I would gladly step aside. It’s not a problem. It’s nothing to do with ego or anything like that. It’s just to help out in the very very short term.”
The Frenchman could be walking into a tough run of fixtures for the Scottish champions over the coming weeks. After St Mirren it is a trip to Feyenoord in the Europa League which is followed by an away encounter at Easter Road against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.
Wilfried Nancy could win a trophy though next month when Celtic face St Mirren in the Premier Sports League Cup final. Celtic will if all goes to plan, go into that final having had different managers for the quarter final (Brendan Rodgers), semi-final (Martin O’Neill) and final (Wilfried Nancy).
Conor Spence
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- Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, personally signed by Danny McGrain
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- Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style by David Potter
The thought of ourselves becoming known as the “Nancy Bhoys” isn’t one i would find to exciting as a prospect imo?
Only at talks stage, so plenty to be discussed before any confirmation, but looking stronger than he will become our new manager all the same imo?
Still suspect that it won’t be for next weekend all the same, as so little time available to even meet many of our players, let alone to work upon any changes, he might have in mind regarding the structure of setting our team up?
So definitely huge risk factors involved, especially with ourselves in a position of playing catch up football.
Regardless, thinking Paul Tisdale is now having a far bigger impact within team affairs now.
Also seems as if the board value his opinion hugely, within our decision making process also imo?
Think that has stemmed from the summer, and potentially led to the demise of Rodgers as a result also?
Could Tisdale be acting as a DoF nowadays?
Maybe the AGM can confirm the likes as a change in the way going forward?
Biggest concern for myself is whether the motivation factor, can remain strong, as was recently installed back into our team?
Was my biggest concern at the back end of last season, and seen nothing to suggest that it was going to improve upon Rodgers this season imo?
The MoN and Maloney partnership certainly improved that factor, for our team.
So potentially a 3rd change without any idea if the motivation can remain strong within our players, for the remainder of this season?
Number of issues potentially still exists, especially with a injury list as it is, along with the unknown element of just how many players currently, could be looking towards the exit door, especially with January looming?
How the mindset of a number of players, could be questioned, with the prospect of an African cup of nations, along with a world cup at the end of this season?
So with such high levels of uncertainty within our current playing squad at present. Along with what lies ahead for our current coaching staff, where the players seem to have responded to maloney and fozzy. Still such an unstable situation between board and supporters ongoing.
And this with such a demanding fixture list, starting after the international break. Along with a cup final, to hopefully continue our trophy haul in keeping Scottish football domination intact?
Can’t recall a manager for ourselves, ever walking into our club, under such circumstances?
Massive job for Nancy to even consider taking on, and deserves respect for even thinking about doing so, all the same imo?
The acid test will remain upon just how successful, a such high risk potential manager appointment could and will be for ourselves?
I wish him well if he is appointed, and may well need as many best wishes as possible, for a massive job that awaits a manager imo?
What is happening at parkhead , we have a chance of getting 2 young European managers Hayden or Knutsen, who are greatly admired by some of the top top European teams and who have fabulous experience of European football, and given Celtic have been an embarrassment in European competitions for years, and we are even thinking about getting a French guy who’s greatest achievement is winning a cup in CANADA, give me a break
Don’t know one supporter that wants this guy near Parkhead (maybe the huns )
For gods sake get a grip