WILFRIED NANCY SHOCKS CELTIC WITH LAST-SECOND REJECTION AS O’NEILL IS FORCED TO STAY ON

Celtic have been plunged into unexpected turmoil after Wilfried Nancy sensationally rejected the manager’s job at the very last moment, leaving the club scrambling for answers and forcing interim boss Martin O’Neill to remain in charge until further notice. What was meant to be a straightforward unveiling this week has instead spiralled into one of the most dramatic managerial collapses Scottish football has witnessed in recent years.

For days, anticipation had been building around the imminent arrival of Nancy, the highly regarded French coach who has won admirers across MLS for his progressive style and calm authority. Celtic believed they had secured their man, and several senior figures within the club had privately indicated the deal was all but complete. The only task remaining, they claimed, was the timing of the official announcement.

But behind the scenes, tension had been quietly gathering. Sources close to the situation revealed that comments made by major shareholder Dermot Desmond during the negotiation period had grown into a significant point of friction. While the exact details remain unclear, it is understood that Nancy and his representatives were left deeply unimpressed by a series of remarks they felt undermined both the role and the level of autonomy the coach expected to be granted.

Today, in what club officials have described as a “stunning reversal,” Nancy’s camp formally informed Celtic that he would not be taking the job. Instead of signing papers and preparing for his first match in charge, the 47-year-old informed the board that he had “lost confidence” in the project’s direction.

For Celtic supporters, the shock was immediate. For the board, it was catastrophic.

Martin O’Neill, drafted in as a steadying hand during the managerial transition, had expected Saturday’s game to be his final outing in the dugout. The 73-year-old had already begun preparing his farewell remarks before receiving a phone call that threw everything into disarray. O’Neill revealed that he had been informed “processes were ongoing” and that he would likely need to remain in charge for Wednesday’s match against Dundee. At the time, he believed the delay was administrative.

But today’s revelation casts those delays in an entirely different light.

Instead of offering a graceful handover to the incoming coach, O’Neill now finds himself thrust back into full responsibility for a squad still trying to navigate inconsistency and rising pressure from supporters. Though experienced, respected and still possessing the sharp tactical mind that made him a legend at the club, O’Neill had made it clear this stint was temporary. The news that he will now remain indefinitely is expected to raise serious questions about the hierarchy’s planning.

Celtic’s leadership is now under intense scrutiny. The club had emphasised throughout the process that the next manager would be backed and empowered to lead a long-term project. But Nancy’s abrupt withdrawal casts major doubt on whether those assurances were as solid as publicly claimed. Critics have already accused Desmond of overstepping, with some suggesting the failed appointment reflects deep-rooted structural issues that have plagued Celtic’s recruitment strategy in recent years.

Supporters, too, are demanding clarity. Social media erupted in the hours following the news, with fans questioning how Celtic could let such a highly regarded coach slip away especially after appearing so close to securing his signature. Many expressed concern that the club is drifting, lacking the decisive leadership required to compete seriously domestically and in Europe. Others, however, believe Nancy’s rejection may be an opportunity, arguing Celtic should pursue a more experienced figure accustomed to handling the intense pressure that accompanies the Parkhead hot seat.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the club now faces a scramble to reassess its shortlist, restart negotiations and repair the public perception of a process that has spiralled embarrassingly out of control. The timing could hardly be worse, with crucial fixtures approaching and the need for stability growing more urgent by the day.

For now, Martin O’Neill remains in charge  a symbol of calm amid the chaos, but also a reminder of the leadership vacuum Celtic must urgently fill. Whether the next candidate sees this as an opportunity or a warning remains to be seen.

What was meant to be a day of celebration has instead become a moment of crisis. Wilfried Nancy’s last-second withdrawal has shaken Celtic to its foundations and the club now faces its biggest managerial question in years: what happens next?