Nov 8, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy walks off the pitch after the match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.

After weeks of speculation, Celtic has named Wilfried Nancy as its new head coach.

Nancy joins Celtic after spending three seasons in charge of the Columbus Crew, a period in which he developed a reputation as one of the top coaches in MLS.

“We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time — he was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new manager and we are delighted that he has agreed to join the club," said Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson.

During his time in Columbus, Nancy won MLS Cup, Leagues Cup and was named named MLS Coach of the Year while also taking the Crew to the Concacaf Champions Cup final in 2024.

The Crew said that Nancy joined Celtic "for an undisclosed fee, given the Black & Gold had an active contract with Nancy."

“Wilfried helped our club accomplish so much over the past three seasons, and we’ll forever be grateful for his passion and efforts to advance the Crew and Major League Soccer,” said club owners the Haslam, Johnson and Edwards families in a joint statement.

"While we strived to keep Wilfried in Columbus, he was clear that coaching Celtic is an important next step in his professional and personal journey, which we know firsthand will be ‘limitless.'"

The 48-year-old Frenchman joined Columbus after spending two years as CF Montréal head coach.

Now he'll return to Europe, taking over the Scottish giants after Brendan Rodgers resigned at the end of October. Since then, Martin O’Neill has been serving as caretaker coach.

“I am so happy to be named Celtic manager, it is a massive honor for myself and my family," Nancy said.

“Before I say anything else I want to do one thing — I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.

"These guys have given so much to the club across so many years and I know our fans, likeme, all recognize the brilliant job they have done during this recent period. They have my total respect and my total gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally.

“Now its up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution. Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.

“I know the history, I know the values of Celtic and I know what is expected of me on this journey. I know what Celtic means to so many people and my No. 1 aim will be simple — to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, winning football team they can be so proud of."

Nancy's first match in charge will be against league leaders Hearts on Sunday. Celtic went into Wednesday's slate of league matches in second place, two points back of Hearts.

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Nancy named Celtic head coach after leaving Columbus Crew

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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