Celtic sack Wilfried Nancy after just 33 DAYS as nightmare reign comes to an end
Wilfried Nancy was appointed by Celtic in December and won just two of his eight games in charge, with their 3-1 loss at home to Rangers on Saturday proving to be the final straw
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorCeltic have sacked manager Wilfried Nancy after just 33 days in charge. Nancy, 48, lost six of his eight games since being appointed in early December, including a bruising 3-1 defeat at home to Glasgow rivals Rangers on Saturday.
The Scottish giants are six points adrift of league leaders Hearts and are now looking for their third permanent manager this season. Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation in October, a long search while Martin O'Neill served as interim manager ended with Nancy being brought in from MLS side Columbus Crew on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
But having lost against Hearts in his first match, the Frenchman's reign never got started. Celtic's shock 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final piled the pressure on Nancy.
Back-to-back wins either side of Christmas bought the ex-Montreal boss some time, but a 2-0 loss away to Motherwell meant that Saturday's Old Firm derby at Parkhead was effectively a must-not-lose game. Having taken the lead, Celtic were turned over by third-placed Rangers, who are now level on points with their rivals, despite their own crisis earlier in the campaign.
Fans protested outside of the stadium after full-time and little over 48 hours later, the board have wielded the axe. Nancy's assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, leave alongside him.
Celtic have also confirmed the sacking of their head of football operations, Paul Tisdale. The former Exeter City manager had only been appointed in October, four days before Rodgers quit in the wake of disagreements with the Parkhead hierarchy.
"Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect," a statement read shortly after 3pm on Monday. "The Club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.
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"Wilfried's assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes. The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as Head of Football Operations.
"We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role. A further update will be provided to supporters as soon as is practical."
Ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked by Nottingham Forest in October, is the early frontrunner to replace Nancy. O'Neill could also be a candidate given his success as interim and legendary status at Parkhead after five years in the Parkhead hot seat in the early 2000s.
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