By Martin Graham
Wilfried Nancy’s brief stay in Glasgow ended almost as quickly as it began. Eight games meant six defeats, confidence busters and a series of unwanted milestones. By the time the club acted, the French manager had already presided over Celtic’s shortest managerial tenure.
Arriving from Columbus Crew, Nancy inherited a side that had been steadied by interim boss Martin O’Neill. Instead of building on this platform, results and performances rapidly deteriorated, leaving the champions adrift and the supporters increasingly hostile.
From tactical overhauls to off-field distractions, the period became a case study in how quickly things can unravel at a club where scrutiny is relentless and patience in short supply.
Early setbacks and instant pressure
Nancy’s first task could hardly have been of greater importance. With Hearts visiting Parkhead, Celtic had the chance to close the gap at the top of the Premiership to nothing. Despite a promising opening, a switch to a 3-4-3 system backfired and Hearts ran out 2-1 winners.
The fall went well beyond the scoreboard. The focus was on the behavior of the coach’s touchline, his equipment and even his coaches, underscoring how quickly the focus shifted from football to optics. Nancy insisted the screen showed encouragement, pointing to defensive organization and chance creation.
Any optimism evaporated four days later in Europe. Roma dismantled Celtic in Glasgow, exposing confusion across the pitch. Evan Ferguson later admitted the hosts looked uncertain about their roles as Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose their opening two games.
Hampden disappointment and fading faith
The League Cup final offered a path to early redemption. Instead, St Mirren dominated big moments and cruised to a 3-1 victory, lifting their first trophy in over ten years. The competition amplified doubts about selection, structure and cohesion.
The players looked uncomfortable in unfamiliar positions, while repeated sideline instructions to Callum McGregor highlighted the uncertainty. As the second half unfolded, Celtic rarely fought back in control, increasing the frustration among the supporters.
Although Nancy spoke afterward of belief and resilience, the mood around the club darkened. Many fans had already turned their backs, wondering why O’Neill was not retained for such a crucial period.
Brief revival before collapse
Despite mounting criticism, the board publicly reiterated its commitment. Chief executive Michael Nicholson emphasized unity ahead of a trip to Dundee United, but the reassurance proved hollow as Celtic surrendered another lead in a 2-1 defeat at Tannadice.
A burst of hope followed. Aberdeen were overwhelmed at Parkhead as Celtic enjoyed 73% possession, unleashed 31 tries and hit the woodwork four times en route to a 3-1 victory. A spectacular 4-2 success at Livingston soon followed, which hinted at the momentum.
That promise faded at Fir Park. Motherwell ran past the champions with a 2-0 result which sparked a fierce reaction from the away fans. The Old Firm clash with Rangers turned out to be decisive: despite scoring first, Celtic collapsed after the break and lost 3-1. Protests began before the final whistle, and soon after the board concluded that Nancy’s time was up.
