By Martin Graham
Why Celtic moved for himReady to make an instant mark
Just over five weeks after Brendan Rodgers departed Celtic Park, the Scottish Premiership club confirmed Wilfried Nancy as their new manager. Chief executive Michael Nicholson described the French coach as someone whose work they had monitored for a long period, calling him their preferred option from the beginning.
Nancy’s emergence in the coaching world has been swift. He became CF Montreal’s manager in 2021, succeeding Thierry Henry, despite having worked only recently with youth sides. The jump did not faze him. As former United States striker and ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez notes, Nancy’s approach is adventurous and heavily detailed, shaped by a modern, sometimes unconventional way of seeing the sport.
His reputation grew quickly. Since taking on his first senior job, Nancy has collected trophies, including the Canadian Championship, the MLS Leagues Cup, and the MLS Cup. Born in Le Havre in 1977 to parents from Guadeloupe and West Africa, he also broke new ground by becoming the first black head coach to lift the MLS Cup. According to Gomez, Nancy prioritizes his football philosophy above immediate outcomes, believing that results naturally follow a clear identity.
Why Celtic moved for him
Several factors positioned Nancy on Celtic’s shortlist. His track record of success, his energetic style, and his indirect link to the club through Columbus Crew assistant Kwame Ampadu—who previously worked alongside Celtic official Paul Tisdale—helped bring him into view.
Gomez explains that clubs in England and France had also shown interest. But Celtic represents a step into a larger environment, offering tools he did not have in Montreal or Columbus. The challenge, he adds, is that Nancy’s methods demand significant adaptation from players. His system involves a goalkeeper who plays high, central defenders who carry the ball forward, and wing-backs who act almost like primary attackers, reminiscent of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
The way he structures his team has drawn comparisons to major European coaches. After noting similarities to Alonso, Gomez suggests that Nancy’s style most closely mirrors Luis Enrique’s emphasis on interpreting movement, space, and connections on the pitch. Rather than fixed zones, players respond to each other’s positions and occupy areas fluidly—a concept rooted in “relacionismo”. The spectacle is attractive but risky, though Nancy has generally been on the positive end of that risk.
Ready to make an instant mark
For Celtic supporters, Gomez believes one detail should stand out: Nancy adapts rapidly and reshapes squads without delay. At both Montreal and Columbus, he established his blueprint quickly, regardless of differing budgets or expectations.
His message for the wider Celtic fanbase is clear. Nancy brings a distinct identity, a confident approach, and a history of triumph in a short career. He is intent on expressing his ideas through the team, and his record shows he succeeds in various conditions.
According to Gomez, fans should prepare for an energetic and expressive brand of football—one that has defined Nancy’s swift ascent and earned him widespread respect within MLS.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
