Wilfried Nancy nears Celtic move after transforming Columbus Crew era

Wilfried Nancy arrived at the Columbus Crew in December 2022 with a clear mandate: elevate a club already rich in identity. Over three seasons, he delivered exactly that — not only through trophies, but through a distinct, possession-driven style that reshaped the Crew’s modern era. Now, that chapter appears close to ending. Multiple reports in Scotland and the United States, including confirmation from top U.S. insiders, indicate that Celtic is moving toward finalizing Nancy as its next head coach.

Celtic dismissed Brendan Rodgers in late October and has been searching for a long-term architect ever since. By early November, Nancy’s name had surfaced as an ideal match for the club’s ambitions.

Following Columbus Crew’s playoff exit, discussions reportedly accelerated, and talks between the organizations now appear to be in the advanced stage — though not yet officially completed.

On the field, Celtic sits second in the Scottish Premiership with 26 points while enduring an underwhelming Europa League campaign. Still, the club remains the most decorated in Scotland, with 55 domestic titles and regular Champions League participation. For Nancy, the opportunity represents a leap into one of Europe’s most historic environments — a platform where tactical ideas are scrutinized under continental pressure and global visibility.

Initial skepticism on social media has given way to a broader recognition of Nancy’s profile. His track record across MLS is consistent: take underdeveloped teams, modernize them, and elevate players through clearly defined tactical structures. In Montreal, he exceeded expectations in 2021 and delivered a playoff return in 2022, ending a multi-year absence. That rise prompted Columbus Crew to bring him in for 2023.

Nancy’s impact was immediate. His 3-4-2-1 system emphasized controlled buildup, fluid rotations, and aggressive positional play. Columbus responded by winning the 2023 MLS Cup, defeating LAFC in the 2024 Leagues Cup, and finishing runner-up to Pachuca in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Those achievements elevated Nancy into the top tier of MLS coaching.

His teams are defined by intentional structure: wingbacks pushing high to create width, interior players drifting into pockets to create numerical advantages, and a collective approach aimed at dominating possession phases. His ability to repurpose players is well documented — Steven Moreira, once a traditional right-back, evolved into a central defender; Sean Zawadzki, originally a defensive midfielder, adapted seamlessly into a back-three role.

Whether Celtic ultimately commits to Nancy will depend on final negotiations and organizational alignment. But the direction of travel is unmistakable: a club of historic scale is targeting one of MLS’s most forward-thinking minds. And for observers on both sides of the Atlantic, Nancy’s next step offers a rare window into the expanding relationship between European football and North America’s developing coaching pipeline.