Who is new Celtic boss Nancy?

By Martin Graham

Simply over 5 weeks after Brendan Rodgers departed Celtic Park, the Scottish Premiership membership confirmed Wilfried Nancy as their new supervisor. Chief government Michael Nicholson described the French coach as somebody whose work that they had monitored for a protracted interval, calling him their most well-liked possibility from the start.

Nancy’s emergence within the teaching world has been swift. He turned CF Montreal’s supervisor in 2021, succeeding Thierry Henry, regardless of having labored solely lately with youth sides. The bounce didn’t faze him. As former United States striker and ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez notes, Nancy’s method is adventurous and closely detailed, formed by a contemporary, typically unconventional method of seeing the game.

His popularity grew rapidly. Since taking over his first senior job, Nancy has collected trophies, together with the Canadian Championship, the MLS Leagues Cup, and the MLS Cup. Born in Le Havre in 1977 to oldsters from Guadeloupe and West Africa, he additionally broke new floor by changing into the primary black head coach to carry the MLS Cup. In keeping with Gomez, Nancy prioritizes his soccer philosophy above quick outcomes, believing that outcomes naturally observe a transparent identification.

Why Celtic moved for him

A number of elements positioned Nancy on Celtic’s shortlist. His observe report of success, his energetic type, and his oblique hyperlink to the membership by way of Columbus Crew assistant Kwame Ampadu—who beforehand labored alongside Celtic official Paul Tisdale—helped deliver him into view.

Gomez explains that golf equipment in England and France had additionally proven curiosity. However Celtic represents a step into a bigger setting, providing instruments he didn’t have in Montreal or Columbus. The problem, he provides, is that Nancy’s strategies demand important adaptation from gamers. His system entails a goalkeeper who performs excessive, central defenders who carry the ball ahead, and wing-backs who act nearly like major attackers, harking back to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

The best way he constructions his workforce has drawn comparisons to main European coaches. After noting similarities to Alonso, Gomez means that Nancy’s type most intently mirrors Luis Enrique’s emphasis on decoding motion, house, and connections on the pitch. Somewhat than mounted zones, gamers reply to one another’s positions and occupy areas fluidly—an idea rooted in “relacionismo”. The spectacle is enticing however dangerous, although Nancy has typically been on the constructive finish of that threat.

Able to make an prompt mark

For Celtic supporters, Gomez believes one element ought to stand out: Nancy adapts quickly and reshapes squads directly. At each Montreal and Columbus, he established his blueprint rapidly, no matter differing budgets or expectations.

His message for the broader Celtic fanbase is obvious. Nancy brings a definite identification, a assured method, and a historical past of triumph in a brief profession. He’s intent on expressing his concepts by way of the workforce, and his report exhibits he succeeds in numerous situations.

In keeping with Gomez, followers ought to put together for an lively and expressive model of soccer—one which has outlined Nancy’s swift ascent and earned him widespread respect inside MLS.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author