Former Arsenal striker and coach Thierry Henry has publicly defended Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy, urging the Scottish Premiership club and its supporters to give him more time before passing judgment.
Nancy, who worked as Henry’s assistant at CF Montreal before taking over as head coach in 2021, has endured a challenging start to his tenure at Celtic. Four defeats in as many competitive matches — including losses to Dundee United, Hearts, and Roma in the Europa League — have intensified scrutiny, with some fans calling for his immediate dismissal.
Henry Urges Patience for Celtic’s New Manager
Speaking after receiving the Lifetime Achievement award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025, Henry backed his former colleague and friend:
“I see people calling for him to leave the place. As a coach myself, I think it’s too early to say that. Let him work and let him cook and judge him maybe at the end of the season.”
Henry highlighted the difficulty of implementing a new coaching philosophy at a club with established expectations and traditions:
“The thing is it’s tough to come and try to impose your philosophy and your identity at a club, maybe playing another way. Right now it’s too early, and I do think he can turn it around. He is a great guy and has a great mind.”
Nancy’s Early Struggles at Celtic
Nancy’s early European managerial career began at Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he achieved notable success, winning the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024, and was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024.
At Celtic, however, the French coach has faced setbacks:
- A 3-1 loss to St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final
- Consecutive defeats to title rivals Hearts
- A 2-1 defeat to Dundee United
These results have left Celtic six points behind Premiership leaders Hearts, albeit with a game in hand. Fans remain divided, with some questioning Nancy’s readiness for European football, while others point to the need for long-term planning and stability.
Upcoming Challenge Against Aberdeen
Nancy will look to secure his first points in the Scottish Premiership when Celtic host Aberdeen on Sunday at 15:00 GMT. Analysts suggest that giving Nancy time to implement his style and build team cohesion could be vital for Celtic’s season-long ambitions, both domestically and in European competition.
Henry concluded by stressing the importance of trust and patience in football management:
“You don’t want any coach to lose their job that early. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
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