Celtic are in advanced talks to appoint Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager, according to sources. The 48-year-old Frenchman is understood to be the top target of majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, who initially approached Nancy last month following Brendan Rodgers' departure.
Desmond agreed to wait until Columbus Crew's MLS campaign concluded before intensifying negotiations. With the Crew's play-off exit last weekend, discussions are now planned for this weekend to finalise a deal. Nancy is under contract until 2026, but the Ohio club is not expected to block the move, with a compensation package of between £1 million and £2 million being discussed.
Nancy is reportedly keen to bring his own backroom team, including assistant Kwame Ampadu. It remains to be seen whether current coaches such as Shaun Maloney and Stevie Woods will remain part of the new regime. Nancy previously managed Celtic's Alistair Johnston and Victor Wanyama at Montreal, where he worked as Thierry Henry's assistant before becoming head coach.
Interim manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed he is willing to step aside once a permanent appointment is made. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, O'Neill said: 'My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside. If it was tomorrow, I would gladly step aside.'
