Scottish champions Celtic are moving swiftly to secure Wilfried Nancy as their new manager, with talks accelerating over the weekend to bring the Frenchman from MLS side Columbus Crew.
Managerial Hunt Nears Conclusion
Celtic have informed Columbus Crew of their intention to appoint Nancy, with compensation not expected to be a barrier to the deal. The club hopes to have the 46-year-old in position by next weekend when they face St Mirren, which would end Martin O'Neill's temporary spell in charge.
Nancy has emerged as the primary target for Celtic's head of football operations, Paul Tisdale, despite initially being considered an outsider when Brendan Rodgers departed in late October. The former Montreal manager is believed to be keen on making the switch to Scottish football.
Why Nancy Fits the Celtic Profile
Nancy fits Celtic's desired profile of an emerging coach who can develop within their system and work within the club's transfer policies. His work with Columbus Crew this season, where he led them to seventh place in the Eastern Conference, has impressed the Celtic hierarchy.
Other candidates including Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town and Robbie Keane were considered, but McKenna's compensation clause and expected wages placed him at the expensive end of Celtic's scale. Bodø/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen had also been regularly linked with the position.
Rodgers Departure and What Comes Next
The search for a new manager began after Brendan Rodgers' second tenure ended acrimoniously in late October, with main shareholder Dermot Desmond publicly criticising the former Liverpool manager. O'Neill, who was due to meet Desmond in London on Friday, will hand over control if Nancy's appointment is finalised.
For Columbus Crew, losing their manager represents a significant blow after he guided them to a respectable seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference this season. For Celtic, securing Nancy represents a bold move to bring in a manager with growing reputation from North American soccer.
