New Celtic manager: Martin O'Neill confirms new boss 'imminent' as Feyenoord clash his last Euro match - who is Wilfried Nancy?
Martin O’Neill has admitted his time as interim Celtic boss is almost at an end and that his replacement is “imminent”.
O’Neill, 73, made a stunning return to the Celtic dugout following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation a month ago. A deal to appoint Wilfried Nancy as Rodgers’ permanent replacement is close and O’Neill has admitted that a new manager will be in place imminently at Parkhead.
Celtic are in Rotterdam facing Feyenoord tonight. O’Neil has confirmed that the Europa League showdown in the Netherlands will be his LAST European game in charge.
O’Neill began his press conference at De Kuip by insisting there was NO update on the managerial situation. However, when pressed on whether an appointment was “imminent,” O’Neill conceded: “Yeah, it is. Yeah.”
While the Feyenoord game will be O’Neill’s last continental game, he will still have one more match in charge. Even if Nancy’s appointment is confirmed beforehand, O’Neill is expected to be in charge of the Hoops when they take on Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.
Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy, 48, is in advanced talks with the Parkhead club. He has developed a reputation as one of the finest technicians in Major League Soccer.
After a decade-long playing career in France, Nancy headed to Montréal in 2005, where he rose through the academy coaching ranks before eventually spending five years as an assistant coach. And in 2021, Nancy was promoted to first-team manager following the departure of Thierry Henry.
It didn't take long for Nancy to make an impact, guiding Montréal to victory against Toronto FC in the 2021 Canadian Championship Final, before overseeing the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, as well as a plethora of franchise records and a run to the Conference semi-finals in 2022.
He then departed Canada for Ohio, making the move to Columbus Crew, where he gained attention for his attractive style of play. Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the league, Columbus managed to not only win, but dominate. They led MLS for goals (82), average possession (56.9%) as well as other categories like shots, shots on target and dribbles per game, and they backed up their credentials by winning the 2023 MLS Cup Final.