Thierry Henry’s former assistant closes in on Celtic manager’s job

Celtic are closing in on making Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy their new manager, talkSPORT understands.

Interim boss Martin O’Neill is expected to remain in charge at least for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Feyenoord while a deal for Nancy is finalised.

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Nancy, who previously worked as an assistant under Thierry Henry at Montreal, won’t be a familiar name to many outside of MLS, particularly given his low-profile playing career.

However, he is now set to replace Brendan Rodgers as manager of the 55-time Scottish champions.

The Scottish giants were also considering Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen, but Frenchman Nancy is seen as more attainable at this stage.

Other more recognisable names previously linked to the job have been former striker Robbie Keane and Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna.

Sacked Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou was tipped for a return, but sources quickly played down a return to Celtic Park.

But the Hoops have gone with Nancy instead with his first match in charge potentially for Celtic’s trip to Hibernian on Sunday, although it could also be for their Scottish Premiership match at home to Dundee on December 3.

Who is Wilfried Nancy?

Former defender Nancy played mainly in the lower leagues of French football, most notably in the second tier with Toulon in the 1990s.

He began his coaching career two decades ago in 2005, but only took his first solo managerial job in 2021 when he was promoted at Montreal following Henry’s dismissal.

The 48-year-old won the Canadian Championship final in his debut season and had his contract upgraded to a full-time one for the following season.

He then took Montreal to second in the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the play-offs, where they made the quarter-finals.

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Columbus Crew poached Nancy ahead of the 2023 season and got their reward with an MLS Cup win after a third-placed regular season finish.

In the following campaign, Columbus finished second in the league and conference and won the Leagues Cup, while Nancy was named coach of the year.

Those credentials certainly make Nancy an interesting up-and-coming talent, with Celtic on the lookout after firing Rodgers.

The former Liverpool and Leicester boss resigned after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts saw them drop eight points behind the league leaders.

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Who is Celtic’s current manager?

Celtic legend O’Neill is currently in interim charge, but the 73-year-old will not be staying at the club long-term.

The ex-Hoops manager and regular talkSPORT contributor spoke about his future shortly after being appointed.

“I will be here as long as the football board wants me, it’s as simple as that,” the Northern Irishman told TNT Sports.

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“That could be at the end of the week.. I just don’t know.”

He was then asked by a reporter at the time whether he would like that to be at the end of the season.

O’Neill replied: “I think you’re asking a lot there at this minute of a gentleman who was happy enough to get coffees beforehand and now who’s suddenly stepping into this.”

And on whether he was in constant discussion with the Celtic board, he added: “No, I’m not and I don’t really want to be.

“I just want to be told when my time is up.”