Celtic sack Wilfried Nancy after chaotic 33-day reign as fan anger and poor results boil over at Celtic Park in Glasgow

Wilfried Nancy’s time at Celtic is over almost as soon as it started. Just 33 days after walking through the doors at Celtic Park, the Frenchman has been dismissed, bringing an abrupt end to one of the briefest managerial spells the club has ever seen.

How Celtic Arrived at This Point

Nancy was appointed on December 3, stepping in after Martin O’Neill’s interim stint that followed Brendan Rodgers’ resignation back in October.

Expectations were high, especially after O’Neill steadied the ship with seven wins from eight games. But that momentum never carried over once the permanent appointment was made.

Results That Told a Brutal Story

Eight matches were all Nancy was given, and only two of them ended in victory. By the time the decision was taken, Celtic were sitting six points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, having watched an 11-point cushion over Rangers evaporate in a matter of weeks.

A Chaotic Opening Chapter

The warning signs appeared immediately. Nancy’s reign began with three defeats in a single week, losing to Hearts, AS Roma, and then St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final. A narrow loss away at Dundee United followed, deepening concerns that things were slipping fast.

Flickers of Hope That Never Lasted

There were moments when it looked as though Celtic might turn a corner. A convincing 3-1 win over Aberdeen was followed by a lively 4-2 victory away to Livingston.

But those performances proved to be false dawns, with damaging defeats against Motherwell and Rangers dragging the club back into crisis mode.

Tactical Ideas That Failed to Land

Nancy attempted to stamp his authority by switching to a 3-4-2-1 system, a shape that had served him well during his time in MLS with Columbus Crew.

It meant dismantling much of what O’Neill had put in place, but the players never appeared fully comfortable with the new approach, despite occasional encouraging spells.

Players’ Belief Began to Wobble

Even when Celtic produced promising football, the sense remained that the squad wasn’t fully sold on the project. That feeling became impossible to ignore after Saturday’s bruising derby defeat to Rangers, where a strong first half unravelled badly after the break.

Luke McCowan’s Candid Post-Match Comments

Midfielder Luke McCowan didn’t hide his frustration when speaking after the loss, openly questioning the lack of tactical adjustment in the second half. His words struck a chord with supporters who were already growing restless.

“Let’s call a spade a spade, when has it ever been this bad? It’s never,” he said.
“You’re asking fans to react to something that for the first time they’re seeing it. And as players, for the first time we’re feeling it.”

When asked whether the dressing room still backed the manager, his response was telling. “We have to be, he’s the manager. I don’t know what else to say on it. But he is the manager. What do we do?”

Fan Anger Boils Over Outside Celtic Park

Those comments came against a backdrop of rising unrest. Supporters have staged protests in recent weeks, most recently gathering outside the 60,000-seat stadium following the Rangers defeat, making their dissatisfaction impossible for the club to ignore.

A Wider Clear-Out Behind the Scenes

Nancy wasn’t the only casualty. His coaching team — Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier — have also left the club. Head of football operations Paul Tisdale has departed too, signalling a significant shake-up as Celtic look to reset once again.

The Club’s Brief Statement

Celtic released a short message thanking all departing staff for their efforts and confirmed that supporters would be updated on next steps “as soon as is practical.”

What Comes Next for Celtic

With another managerial search looming and tensions still high among the fanbase, Celtic now face the familiar challenge of restoring stability quickly.

After a turbulent few months and a managerial reign measured in days rather than seasons, the pressure is firmly on the board to get the next call right.

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