Celtic’s Turbulent Season – Wilfried Nancy’s 33-day disastrous reign

He eventually recorded just two wins in eight games, losing six. His only victories came against lower-ranked opposition, offering little reassurance to an increasingly agitated Celtic support. Morale had hit such a low that many supporters felt their time and money was better spent elsewhere — some would sooner buy R6 credits and lose themselves in Rainbow Six than watch another limp performance from a Nancy-led Celtic side that showed no sign of turning things around.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor with Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The decisive moment came on 3 January 2026: a 3–1 Glasgow Derby defeat to Rangers at Celtic Park after dominating play and leading at half-time. The collapse triggered fan protests and effectively sealed his fate. The goals lost were soft, easily avoidable and came down to his reckless system that the players simply did not understand.

On 5 January, after just 33 days, Nancy was dismissed—statistically the shortest tenure in Celtic’s history and one of the worst win percentages ever recorded by an Celtic manager (25%).

So what led Celtic to make suck a reckless appointment? The decision by CEO Michael Nicholson and principal shareholder Dermot Desmond to replace Brendan Rodgers with Nancy was seemingly rooted in several strategic ideas but actually exposed serious structural instability at a club that had taken its eye off the ball.

Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson and Celtic Chief Financial Officer Chris Mackay in the directors box. Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 07 December 2025. IMAGO photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Nancy represented a modern, positional, high-possession philosophy that had thrived in MLS. Celtic’s hierarchy looked beyond traditional British/Irish coaching circles, aiming to replicate the kind of progressive appointments seen across Europe. His success in North America suggested high upside at relatively low cost compared to elite European managers. Celtic got a taste of the attraction of coaches from faraway shores when Ange Postecoglou was the last minute appointment in June 2021 after Eddie Howe led the Celtic Board up the garden path.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, waves to fans as he arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After Rodgers’ departure in October 2025 amid a “toxic” internal climate, Celtic were already in flux. Hiring a rising coach rather than an established elite name likely reflected budget considerations and a desire to reset the club’s football structure alongside a new recruitment model.

Nancy’s Columbus Crew team played an intricate 3-4-3 system built on automatisms and technical profiles. The Celtic board appeared to assume that philosophy could be transplanted quickly. In reality, the inherited squad was ill-suited—players were forced out of position and performances became disjointed.

Wilfried Nancy during the Premier Sports Cup Final match between St Mirren and Celtic at Hampden Park on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou, The Celtic Star)

Celtic is not a developmental project—it is a results-driven institution with intense scrutiny. Nancy had never coached in Europe, let alone in a tight title race where every dropped point is magnified. Clearly the Celtic board underestimated the cultural and competitive jump.

Several factors explain why the experiment lasted just over a month but mostly it was due to an

immediate results crisis with six defeats in eight games leaving Celtic trailing in the title race and losing a Premier Sports Cup Final to St Mirren.

Nancy’s system basically did not suit the Celtic squad he inherited, leading to defensive fragility and confusion before the Rangers defeat at the start of January intensified protests against the board’s decision-making.

Wilfried Nancy, Manager of Celtic, looks on during a Celtic FC Training Session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on December 10, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic had already changed managers twice that season; the board opted to “stop the bleeding” quickly rather than persist. Notably, Nancy replaced interim boss Martin O’Neill, who had stabilised results prior to his arrival—winning seven of eight matches. That contrast only amplified scrutiny.

Nancy’s reign wasn’t simply a failure of a “rookie” coach, it was the product of misalignment between recruitment strategy and boardroom arrogance. Michael Nicholson and Dermot Desmond believed that they were pursuing a forward-thinking appointment, but executed it in the worst possible conditions: mid-season, with an unsuitable squad, and under extreme pressure.

The result was a 33-day tenure for Nancy that will be remembered as the most traumatic month in living memory for Celtic Football Club.

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown 05 December 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

As we continue to look at Celtic’s turbulent season we will take a look at Nancy’s replacement as Martin O’Neill once again receives an urgent message to get back to Paradise to Save Our Season. Stay tuned for that…

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