The Columbus Crew gaffer has been rubber stamped as Brendan Rodgers successor
18:58, 03 Dec 2025Updated 19:06, 03 Dec 2025
Incoming Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Celtic have appointed Wilfried Nancy as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The Columbus Crew boss has been named as the permanent boss on the back of the bombshell departure of Brendan Rodgers.
Martin O’Neill has been in the hot seat on an interim basis at Celtic Park while the club concluded the interview process – resurrecting the champions’ season and landing the Premiership Manager of the Month award for November.
Nancy penned a new long-term contract with the MLS outfit in 2024 and while the length of the deal has been kept secret sources Stateside suggest it was over ‘several years’, likely to at least 2027.
He is one of the highest-paid head coaches in the US – where top earners pocket up to $1.5m a year – and his no.2 Kwame Ampadu – who has close ties with Celtic head of football operations Paul Tisdale – is also expected to arrive.
He said: “I am so happy to be named Celtic Manager, it is a massive honour for myself and my family. Before I say anything else I want to do one thing – I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.
“These guys have given so much to the club across so many years and I know our fans, like me, all recognise the brilliant job they have done during this recent period. They have my total respect and my total gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally.
“Now its up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution. Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.
“I know the history, I know the values of Celtic and I know what is expected of me on this journey. I know what Celtic means to so many people and my No. 1 aim will be simple – to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, winning football team they can be so proud of. I look forward to seeing all our fans very soon and I hope we can enjoy some great moments together.”
Non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell hailed the appointment, stating: ““We are really pleased to welcome Wilfried to Celtic. He is a Manager with a record which demonstrates the kind of football which we know Celtic supporters love to see. We will give Wilfried all our support as we look to once again bring success to our fans.
“I want to express our sincere thanks to Martin, Shaun and our backroom team for all they have done in recent weeks during this interim period. They have done such a tremendous job in stabilising the team and restoring a real level of confidence, with some fantastic results domestically and in Europe.
“Martin has shown the kind of leadership he was always renowned for and together with Shaun and the others in our backroom team they have given us that level of quality which has been so important to us in recent weeks. Everyone at the club offers our appreciation for the job they have done.”
Michael Nicholson said: “We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time – he was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new Manager and we are delighted that he as agreed to join the club.
“I know he is hugely excited about this opportunity to be part of Celtic’s future. We will give Wilfried every support to face the challenges ahead, with our aim as always being to deliver the success for the club which our supporters deserve, this season and beyond.
“I also want to thank Martin, Shaun, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus for all they have done in recent weeks. They have shown such high levels of professionalism and commitment in supporting the club in a difficult moment and we will forever be grateful to them for the fantastic contributions they have all made.”
And principal shareholder Dermot Desmond stated: “In appointing Wilfried to Celtic, we believe we have brought a hugely talented manager to the club. He is a man who absolutely understands the demands at Celtic, he is a man of real humility but also someone with his own ideas, his own vision and such a personal drive and desire to do well for the club and our supporters.
“Everyone at the club will unite strongly behind Wilfried as we move forward and we will ensure we will give him our unswerving support as we strive to achieve our objectives.
Tom Boyd, Peter Lawwell, Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay(Image: PA)
“I want to add my heartfelt thanks to Martin for all he has done in recent weeks. He was the man we hoped could bring us through these last few weeks positively and together with Shaun and our other coaches and our players, they have done a wonderful job.
“I will always hold Martin in such high regard for what he has done for Celtic and for what he is as a man – a man of such professionalism and integrity and someone who undoubtedly will always have the best interests of Celtic in his heart.”
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