Celtic Football Club's new era officially began on Thursday as Wilfried Nancy touched down in Glasgow to commence his role as head coach. The 48-year-old Frenchman, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract after leaving MLS side Columbus Crew, immediately set about outlining his football philosophy, which he believes is a perfect match for the Parkhead club.
A Leader, Not a Boss: Nancy's Immediate Impact
Speaking to club media upon his arrival, Nancy expressed his excitement at joining one of Britain's most storied institutions. "I feel excited and really happy to be here," he stated. "The story of this club is amazing and I can feel the connection." He was quick to define his approach to leadership, emphasising: "I don't consider myself as a boss. I am a leader. Fans are essential for us, to have that connection and emotion with them."
His immediate focus is on fostering a collaborative environment. "For me, the definition of a leader is to create a good environment to help give the possibility to the people I work with, so they can express themselves," Nancy explained. Central to his vision is the concept of non-verbal communication between players on the pitch. "We don't play tennis, we don't play golf," he said. "Football is about relations between players... We need to run together to score goals and to defend."
Philosophy Rooted in Proactivity and the Ball
Nancy's tactical blueprint is deeply personal, mirroring how he lives his life. "My style of play is about how I like to live. I like to be proactive in my life and to discover things," he revealed. This proactive approach will be built on a solid structure that encourages creativity. "It's about structure - are we going to run together? But also creativity within that," he added.
The new Celtic manager places the ball at the heart of everything. "The idea is always about the ball. We want to take care of the ball," Nancy asserted. "The ball is the only tool in our lives that can connect people without talking. Can we use the ball to create emotions and score goals?" He acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating the team must be "strong together and resilient" during difficult moments, with the ultimate aim to "entertain people" and "maximise our chances to win."
Embracing Glasgow and Praise for Predecessors
Nancy confirmed his commitment extends beyond the training ground, as he plans to move his young family to Glasgow to fully immerse himself in the community. "I am a dad with two kids and for me I am also really excited for my family, to come here and discover a new country," he shared, believing the experience will be enriching for his children's future.
He has brought key staff with him, including assistant Kwame Ampadu, fitness coach Jules Gueguen, and video analyst Maxim Chalier. Nancy takes the permanent reins from Brendan Rodgers, following the interim stewardship of Martin O'Neill. He was full of praise for O'Neill, with whom he has now met. "What a guy, it's as simple as that. Humble. Genuine," Nancy said. "I saw the joy and the confidence of the players" under his temporary care.
He was careful to clarify his comments were not a criticism of Rodgers, but simply recognition of O'Neill's effective man-management. "Please understand me, I am not saying Brendan did a bad job... But Martin found a way to do it and the outcome came naturally. So well done to him."
Nancy's first test comes swiftly, as he will be in the dugout for Celtic's match against league leaders Hearts at home on Sunday. His arrival marks a significant new chapter for the club, as they turn to a manager renowned for his progressive ideas to lead their quest for domestic and European success.
