{"id":675858,"date":"2026-01-05T17:23:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T17:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/675858\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T17:23:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T17:23:22","slug":"ex-scotland-attacker-now-favourite-to-be-next-celtic-manager-amid-wilfried-nancy-sack-latest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/675858\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Scotland attacker now favourite to be next Celtic manager amid Wilfried Nancy sack latest"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Celtic<\/p>\n

Credit: Imago<\/p>\n

\"Jack <\/p>\n

Mon 5 January 2026 10:17, UK <\/p>\n

Wilfried Nancy appears to be on the verge of the sack at Celtic after a terrible start to life at the Old Firm club.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 3-1 defeat to Rangers<\/a> on Saturday now means that the Frenchman has lost six of his eight games in charge with the Hoops now six points behind Hearts at the summit.<\/p>\n

Celtic fans have now turned on Nancy<\/a>, with many demanding that the manager be sacked before their entire season collapses.<\/p>\n

Martin O\u2019Neill had been the favourite to take over at Celtic Park<\/a> if Nancy<\/a> were given the boot after a successful interim spell before the Frenchman\u2019s appointment.<\/p>\n

However, Shaun Maloney has now been installed as the new favourite in a surprising twist.<\/p>\n

\n

Full-time.#CELRAN<\/a> | #CelticFC<\/a>\ud83c\udf40 pic.twitter.com\/cyeRJGU2wU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Shaun Maloney 7\/4 to become next Celtic manager<\/p>\n

Maloney joined Celtic<\/a> in the summer, becoming their player pathway manager.<\/p>\n

The 42-year-old has previously had a tough start to his managerial career, as he was quickly given the boot at Hibernian before later being sacked by Wigan in March 2025.<\/p>\n

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the ex-Celtic star has overseen a decent start at the Old Firm side since his return and was the interim assistant manager to O\u2019Neill earlier this campaign.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Now, with Nancy seemingly on the brink of losing his job at Celtic Park, the bookies are tipping Maloney to take over.<\/p>\n

One bookmaker has the former Celtic and Scotland attacking midfielder as low as 7\/4 to become their next manager, with one bookmaker confirming that these odds have been slashed on 5 January.<\/p>\n

\"NextCredit: Imago<\/p>\n

Following Maloney, O\u2019Neill is next on the list at 5\/2, while Ange Postecoglou is the third-favourite at 5\/1.<\/p>\n

Maloney\u2019s managerial career explained<\/p>\n

Maloney\u2019s first job was at Hibernian, which was short-lived.<\/p>\n

The ex-Celtic star only lasted 19 matches, winning just six, despite overseeing victories in his first two games.<\/p>\n

His spell at Wigan was more successful. Taking over in January 2023, he was unable to keep the Latics in the Championship after a points deduction.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI took him to Aston Villa and he claimed he was homesick and came back to Celtic again. I\u2019ve never really forgiven him for that!\u201d \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n

Martin O\u2019Neill on his relationship with Shaun Maloney and how he sees their dynamic working \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f\ud83c\udf40 pic.twitter.com\/Avmf2UpRXO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, his time in League One was impressive as he guided Wigan to League One survival comfortably, despite their eight-point deduction.<\/p>\n

However, the manager failed to build on this success, and he was eventually sacked with the Latics just six points above the relegation zone late in the 2024-25 campaign.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n