Wilfried Nancy has been confirmed as Celtic’s new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract, replacing interim boss Martin O’Neill at the Scottish champions.
The 48-year-old Frenchman landed in the UK earlier on Wednesday ahead of his departure from Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew and will become the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, who left Celtic in October.
The announcement comes just under an hour before tonight’s Scottish Premiership clash against Dundee, which will be O’Neill’s final game as temporary boss.
“I am so pleased to be appointed Celtic Manager, it is a huge honor for me and my family,” Nancy said in a statement.
“Before I say anything else, I want to do one thing: I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for everything they have done over the last few weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.
“These guys have given so much to the club over so many years and I know our fans, like myself, all recognize the brilliant work they have done over this recent period. They have my full respect and gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally.
“Now it is up to me to continue this great work and take our great club forward. I can’t wait to get started and be part of such a brilliant institution. Celtic are one of the real football clubs in the world, with a real atmosphere, heart and soul, very 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 number one goal will be simple: to provide our fans with a strong, exciting, attacking and winning football team that they can be so proud of.
“I look forward to seeing all of our fans again very soon and hope we can have some great times together.”
After a rather disappointing playing career in her native country, Nancy enjoyed great success as a coach in North America.
Stints in the college system and the Montreal Impact youth set-up led to a position in the first team at the renamed CF Montreal following the resignation of Thierry Henry.
Nancy led Team Canada to the 2022 MLS playoffs before joining the Crew.
In his first season in Columbus, he guided the team to the MLS Cup and, the following year, the Leagues Cup. He was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024.
