Chris Sutton has shared his reaction to Celtic’s decision to dismiss Wilfried Nancy, bringing an abrupt end to the Frenchman’s brief spell in charge…
Celtic captain Callum McGregor with Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
Nancy’s tenure lasted little more than a month, with the 48 year-old disastrously losing six of his eight games in charge.
That run which included a League Cup final defeat, and then ended with the weekend loss to the Ibrox club ultimately sealed his fate. A statement from Celtic confirmed his departure on Monday afternoon via an announcement to the London Stock Exchange.
Speaking after the development, Sutton told Sky Sports that Celtic had little choice but to act, maintaining that the club made the correct call in moving on so quickly.
Some would argue that Nancy should have been given his jotters after the League Cup final, but he limped on following two consecutive wins against Aberdeen and Livingston which ultimately proved to be sticking plasters.
Sutton said via Sky Sports: “Glasgow is wild as a footballing city. Russell Martin at Rangers lost his job after having more time than Wilfried Nancy. Nancy did not do himself any favours with his inability to adapt.
“The Motherwell loss was humiliating; they controlled the game for 90 minutes. Many Celtic fans thought it was time for him to go then. Against (the)Rangers, they played well in the first half but showed vulnerability in the second and ended up losing.”
Sutton added: “There was an inevitability after the game on Saturday. Celtic has acted decisively because there is still a league title to win. It is the right decision because they have to give themselves the best chance of winning the Scottish Premiership.”
🗣️ “Celtic have acted pretty decisively because there’s still a league title to win.”
Chris Sutton reacts to Wilfried Nancy’s sacking after just 33 days as he suggests a “short-term” return for Martin O’Neill would be the “safest move” ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P564clqMgg
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 5, 2026
“Celtic have a far greater chance of winning the title now. Keeping Wilfried Nancy in position would have been too much of a risk. He was a stickler and set in his ways. I do not understand why he could not adapt a little. A lot of people thought he would come in and have an approach where he just tweaked things.”
“You never like to see anybody lose their job, but it did feel like the job was too big for him.”
Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill speaks at a mainstream conference on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at Lennoxtown after returning to the club following the sacking of Wifred Nancy. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock
Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham will take the team until the end of the season.
Conor Spence
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