New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy says he has arrived at the club “as a leader, not a boss” as he prepares to take charge of his first match this Sunday. The French coach has signed a contract until summer 2028, becoming the long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers, who resigned in October. Club legend Martin O’Neill stepped in for eight games as interim manager.

Nancy, who joins from Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, told Celtic TV that reaching this moment “has been a bit long,” but expressed his excitement at beginning his new chapter in Glasgow. Celtic host Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts in what will be Nancy’s debut in the home dugout.

“The Brand of Celtic Fits Me Really Well”

Speaking about his coaching identity, Nancy said he does not see himself as an authoritarian figure.

“I don’t consider myself a boss. I am a leader. A leader creates an environment where people can express themselves.”

He emphasised that his focus is on building a supportive culture, allowing both players and staff to thrive creatively and collectively.

A Coach with MLS Success and a Relationship-Based Approach

Nancy climbed the coaching ladder in North America, starting with Montreal’s academy, then becoming assistant, head coach, and later MLS Cup and Leagues Cup winner with Columbus Crew. He also lifted the Canadian Championship during his time in Montreal.

At Celtic, he will once again be joined by trusted assistant Kwame Ampadu, whom Nancy described as someone who will both “challenge” and “support” the squad.

“He’s wise. For me, this is so important,” Nancy said.

“My Style of Play Is About the Way I Live”

Celtic fans have been eager to learn how Nancy plans to shape the team tactically. He suggested he will introduce nuances rather than sweeping changes, building on the momentum O’Neill restored during his interim spell.

Nancy explained that his football philosophy reflects his own personality:

• Proactive, adventurous, and willing to explore new ideas
• Focused on relationships and communication between players
• Built on collective movement in attack and defence

“Football is about relations between players. We don’t play tennis or golf. We need non-verbal communication. We need to run together to score; we need to run together to defend.”

His aim is for Celtic to control possession, manipulate the opposition, play with speed, and attack with purpose. Resilience, he added, will be essential when the team faces difficult periods.

Praise for Martin O’Neill’s Influence

Nancy also paid tribute to O’Neill, whose short return to Celtic Park brought “joy and confidence” back to the squad.

“I just met Martin. I didn’t know him personally, but what a guy – humble, genuine. We had a really good discussion. I asked him for advice and we shared some things.”

With the club back on a positive trajectory, Nancy says he feels confident he can imprint his philosophy while maintaining stability at the reigning champions.