Celtic Football Club is engulfed in a deepening crisis as manager Wilfried Nancy faces intense scrutiny following an unprecedented poor start to his tenure at Parkhead.
Historic losing streak piles pressure on Nancy
Wilfried Nancy has become the first Celtic manager in the club's history to lose his opening four matches in charge. This dismal run includes a damaging 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in the League Cup Final and a recent 2-1 Premiership loss to Dundee United. The sequence of results has sparked fury among the Celtic support, with vocal protests now a feature at matches.
During recent games, chants of "Nancy out" and "sack the board" have echoed around the stadium. Supporters' frustration is compounded by the team's defensive frailties and the immediate loss of the season's first available domestic trophy.
Boardroom backing and managerial defiance
Despite the turmoil, the Celtic hierarchy has not yet pulled the trigger. Chief Executive Michael Nicholson has publicly declared the club remains "absolutely solid" behind the French coach. The board is reportedly engaged in January transfer window planning with Nancy and is said to be reluctant to abandon a project that is only two weeks into a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Nancy himself has faced criticism for his tactical approach, notably his attempt to implement a 3-4-3 formation and a "total football" philosophy. Pundits argue the current squad is ill-suited to this style. The manager remains defiant, however, pointing to his past success in Major League Soccer and stating he does not feel the need to prove his methods to anyone.
Potential successors and a French escape route
Speculation over Nancy's potential replacement is already rife. The favourite with both bookmakers and a large section of the fanbase is legendary former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill. Other names linked to the post include highly-rated Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen and Ferencvaros coach Robbie Keane.
Should Nancy depart Glasgow, a swift return to France appears possible. Reports from the BBC indicate he is a top target for Ligue 2 side AS Saint-Etienne. The French club reportedly admired Nancy before his move to Scotland and would consider him a primary candidate to lead their promotion campaign.
For now, sources close to the club indicate that Celtic are not actively planning to sack Wilfried Nancy immediately. However, with pressure mounting from the stands and results failing to improve, the board's patience will be severely tested in the coming days and weeks.
