WILFRIED NANCY has been appointed new manager at Celtic on a two-and-a-half year contract and will take up his post tomorrow.
The 48-year-old Frenchman will take over from Martin O’Neill who will bring down the curtain on his eight-game interim period against Dundee at Parkhead this evening.
The champions made the anticipated announcement prior to the kick-off against the Tayside club who beat the Hoops 2-0 at Dens Park in October in Brendan Rodgers’ second last Premiership game as team chief.
Nancy has quit MLS side Columbus Crew to move to Scotland and the new gaffer said: “I am so happy to be named Celtic manager, it is a massive honour for myself and my family.
FRENCH FANCY…Wilfried Nancy has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract at Celtic.
“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, like me, all recognise 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 it’s 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.
“I look forward to seeing all our fans very soon and I hope we can enjoy some great moments together.”
THE LAST GOODBYE…Martin O’Neill will end his interim period against Dundee at Parkhead tonight.
Chairman Peter Lawwell, speaking on the Celtic website, continued: “We are really pleased to welcome Wilfried to Celtic. He is a manager with a record which demonstrates the kind of football which we know Celtic supporters love to see.
“We will give Wilfried all our support as we look to once again bring success to our fans.
“I want to express our sincere thanks to Martin, Shaun and our backroom team for all they have done in recent weeks during this interim period.
“They have done such a tremendous job in stabilising the team and restoring a real level of confidence, with some fantastic results domestically and in Europe.
“Martin has shown the kind of leadership he was always renowned for and together with Shaun and the others in our backroom team they have given us that level of quality which has been so important to us in recent weeks.
“Everyone at the club offers our appreciation for the job they have done.”
Chief Executive Michael Nicholson added: “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 as agreed to join the club.
“I know he is hugely excited about this opportunity to be part of Celtic’s future. We will give Wilfried every support to face the challenges ahead, with our aim as always being to deliver the success for the club which our supporters deserve, this season and beyond.
JUST CHAMPION…Wilfried Nancy holds aloft MLS silverware.
“I also want to thank Martin, Shaun, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus for all they have done in recent weeks.
“They have shown such high levels of professionalism and commitment in supporting the club in a difficult moment and we will forever be grateful to them for the fantastic contributions they have all made.”
Nancy won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup with Columbus Crew and was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024. Prior to that, he also won the Canadian Championship with CF Montreal in 2021.
He will make his debut in the top-of-the-table clash with Hearts at Parkhead on Sunday.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Dundee this evening – only in your champion CQN.
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