Current Columbus Crew head coach — and former Montreal Impact manager — Wilfried Nancy is very much in discussions with Celtic. The process to appoint the next permanent manager of the Scottish club. The 48-year-old coach took Columbus Crew to an impressive seventh place in the very competitive MLS Eastern Conference. All this success happened in the very contentious 2025 season. While the team’s players and coaches did not doubt their fight, their season ended in heartbreaking fashion. FC Cincinnati beat them in a hard-fought three-game first round.
No question that Nancy has had the greatest impact since taking over Columbus Crew. In his tenure, his team went on to win historic championships in the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup. This success earned him recognition as the MLS Coach of the Year. He’s even thinking of a switch to Celtic. He remains committed to finishing out his term—until December 31, 2027—while they search for his replacement.
Potential Move to Celtic
Nancy and Celtic are going to have serious talks this weekend. Still, he hasn’t dropped himself out of the running for the managerial job. He made clear his desire to consider the opportunity without neglecting his duty to Columbus Crew.
During his end of the season press conference with the Columbus Crew, Nancy responded to the speculation regarding his future. He stated,
“I’m here to talk about the team, first of all.”
His commitment to the players and staff at Columbus until the final whistle shows his professionalism, dedication, and compassion. He candidly admitted that conversations with Celtic could alter the trajectory of his career. He didn’t shy away from acknowledging the enormous consequences of these negotiations.
Provided that Nancy and Celtic can come to an agreement, the club will then seek to make a formal offer to Columbus Crew. They must arrange for his payment. This key procedural step is vital for any planned transition to occur in an orderly and positive manner.
Current Situation at Columbus Crew
For now, Nancy insists that his main priority is still with Columbus Crew. During his tenure the team has accomplished more than anyone could have imagined, putting PDX on the map in Major League Soccer. The Crew made it to the playoffs this year but faced disappointment against their rivals, FC Cincinnati.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill flew to London on Friday to speak with Celtic’s majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond. This meeting coincided with other regional managerial discussions. They were convened to determine the extent of O’Neill’s continued employment with Celtic. Their concern was on the worst-case scenario of a new manager not being in place by the conclusion of the international break.
This new layer of uncertainty complicates the managerial landscape at Celtic even more, as they figure out their next move.
“The short and honest answer is I genuinely do not know.”
Regardless of whether this would be a shift for the better in his career, Nancy has made a point to highlight his commitment to Columbus Crew. He confirmed that, if appointed as Celtic’s new manager, he would be more than happy to step aside. In the meantime, he is focused on helping his present crew navigate important waters of their growth.
Nancy’s Commitment and Future Prospects
Whatever the case, players and fans alike will be watching closely to see how talks go throughout the weekend. Regardless, everyone is excited to see how this situation plays out. Nancy’s proven track record at Columbus Crew positions him as an attractive candidate for Celtic, yet his commitment to his current role underscores a deep sense of responsibility.
As discussions progress over the weekend, both fans and players will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds. Nancy’s proven track record at Columbus Crew positions him as an attractive candidate for Celtic, yet his commitment to his current role underscores a deep sense of responsibility.
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