NafisaA relatively unknown manager is set to replace Brendan Rodgers as Celtic head coach.
Rodgers was sacked as Celtic head coach on October 27, with former Hoops boss Martin O’Neill undertaking the role on an interim basis.
Since then, O’Neill has steered the Scottish champions to three wins in four matches, including successive 4-0 wins over Falkirk and Kilmarnock.
He also guided the side to a 3-1 Scottish League Cup semi-final victory over archrivals Rangers at Hampden Park on November 2.
And despite his success, it appears that O’Neill may soon be departing his beloved Celtic one more time as the club are reportedly on the brink of announcing their new permanent boss.
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy and ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou have all been linked with the job, but according to the Daily Record, the Scottish club are in advanced talks with Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy.
Wilfried Nancy is linked with Celtic (Credit:Getty)
Discussions are said to be ongoing with a view to completing the deal over the international break.
It was thought that 48-year-old Nancy, who previously coached Montreal, wanted to wait until the end of the MLS play-off, but Columbus exited the competition last weekend.
The Record reports that the Ohio-based club will not stop the move, with Celtic likely to pay between £1 million and £2 million in compensation.
Nancy led Columbus to MLS glory in 2023 and picked up the coach of the year award.
So, what do the club’s fans make of the proposed deal?
Several took to social media to offer their thoughts on Friday evening.
One said: “Disaster of an appointment. No ambition shown whatsoever.”
Wilfried Nancy guided Columbus Crew to the 2023 MLS Cup (Credit:Getty)
Another added: “If it is in fact Nancy, then there can’t be any pouted lips and throwing strops just because it’s not the manager you wanted that was never coming.
“If Wilfried Nancy is the next Celtic manager, then he deserves full backing from the start.”
A third claimed: “Seen a lot of Celtic fans turning their noses up at the prospect of appointing Wilfried Nancy – while he’s obviously unproven in Europe, I can assure you you’d be in safe hands.
“Completely transformed Montréal on a non-existent budget into one of the best teams in the league.”
While a fourth commented: “Wilfried Nancy is the worst possible appointment if reports are true and is destined to fail. An abhorrent appointment from @CelticFC.”
Celtic return to action against St. Mirren on Saturday, 22 November.
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