Celtic manager search: Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy completes deal to become next Hoops boss

Celtic are finalizing the paperwork for Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy to become their new manager.

It is understood Nancy’s assistant Kwame Ampadu is also set to join the Scottish champions.

The Hoops hope to complete the deals before the weekend, with Nancy set to take over next week.

Interim boss Martin O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney remain in charge of Celtic’s Europa League clash away to Feyenoord on Thursday and are expected to be in the dugout for Sunday’s game against Hibernian, live on. Sky Sports.

In the last two years, Nancy has won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup as well as being named MLS Coach of the Year. He also took the Columbus Crew to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final last year.

Why do Celtic want Nancy?

Celtic see many similarities between Wilfried Nancy and Ange Postecoglou.

The former came on the recommendation of the club’s head of football operations, Paul Tisdale, who has been monitoring his progress for some time.

Postecoglou won titles in Australia and Japan, plus the Asian Cup with the Australian national team.

Nancy, younger than Postecoglou at age 48, has already won titles in America with the Columbus Crew. He even took Crew 96 to the North American equivalent of the Champions League final. In just four years of management, Nancy has achieved success. This has come to the attention of Celtic, who feel he can take the next step into European football.

He is also said to be a strong character, like Postecoglou, which could lead to some passionate scenes on the sidelines and interesting press conferences.

What do we know about Nancy?

Sky Sports’ Michael Shuel:

Nancy, 48, is available immediately following the conclusion of the Columbus Crew’s season. He has established himself as one of MLS’s top coaches, earning the MLS Coach of the Year award in 2024 after missing out two years earlier.

The French led the Columbus Crew to a domestic cup double, finishing second in the league and reaching the CONCACAF Champions Cup final the previous season.

His teams are known for their attacking style, possession and aggressive high pressing, and he predominantly lines up with three centre-backs and two marauding wing-backs. Despite finishing seventh this season, Columbus still ranked first in MLS for possession, progressive passes and last-third tackles.

Nancy’s assistant, who could join him at Celtic, is Kwame Ampadu, who previously coached Exeter City U18s when Paul Tisdale, now Celtic’s head of football operations, was first-team manager.

Nancy would also find a familiar face at Parkhead in Alistair Johnston, who he first signed at CF Montréal before the full-back’s switch to Celtic.

Montreal was Nancy’s first senior head coaching role after spending a decade developing as a coach through their academy system. There, he broke several franchise records and lifted the Canadian championship in 2022, which saw them qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.