Dramatic twist in Celtic manager hunt as Wilfried Nancy deal reaches crucial stage fans never expected.

celtic are edging closer to appointing their new manager, with Record Sport reporting that Wilfried Nancy has now taken part in formal discussions with the club. The Glasgow side are aiming to have their next head coach in place before Fridays Annual General Meeting, and talks over the weekend have pushed negotiations forward.

Nancy, who is currently in charge of Columbus Crew, has enjoyed enormous success in Major League Soccer, steering the American outfit to both the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup titles. According to reports, he and senior Celtic officials opened dialogue on Friday evening, and those conversations continued through Saturday and Sunday as both parties attempted to finalise the major components of a potential agreement.

The French born coach has been the clubs preferred candidate since Brendan Rodgers departure, and confidence is growing within the Celtic hierarchy that a deal can soon be concluded. Once personal terms and the general framework of the move are settled, Celtic are expected to negotiate a compensation fee with Columbus, which could rise to around two million pounds.

With supporters pressing for clarity and unity after a turbulent few weeks, Celtic are eager to present a clear vision before the AGM. The January transfer window is approaching rapidly, and the club recognises the importance of ensuring the new manager is in place early enough to assess the squad and identify reinforcements.

Nancys reputation in North America has soared in recent years. Widely praised for his progressive, possession heavy approach, he has reshaped Columbus Crew into one of the most aesthetically impressive sides in MLS. His teams are known for patient build up, technical confidence, and attacking structure, qualities that many Celtic supporters feel align naturally with the clubs traditional playing philosophy.

Should negotiations continue on their current track, Celtic could be in a position to unveil Nancy as their new manager before the weekend. Such a step would represent a significant milestone in the clubs rebuilding process following the sudden exit of Rodgers.

One person who knows Nancys work well is Erik Sviatchenko, the former Celtic centre back who now plays in MLS. Speaking to CeltsAreHere, he offered glowing praise of the Crew coach.

I genuinely think he would suit Celtic extremely well, Sviatchenko explained. He is one of the standout managers over here and has earned huge respect within the league. The football his Columbus side plays is excellent, very much centred on possession. Celtic fans would appreciate that style. I would not necessarily describe it as identical to Brendan Rodgers football, but it is definitely among the top possession based systems in MLS. And they have achieved real success with it.

The defender continued, He is a top level coach, and if he was willing to take that next step outside the MLS and work in an environment where the pressure is constant and results are everything, I can imagine him fitting in perfectly. A few names have been linked with the job, but he is certainly one who makes a lot of sense.

It has now been almost three weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned from his position as Celtic manager. His abrupt late night departure shocked many, but the aftermath proved even more astonishing.

Celtics principal shareholder, Dermot Desmond, published an extraordinary and uncompromising statement on the clubs official website shortly after Rodgers left. In it, he heavily criticised the former managers behaviour and influence behind the scenes. Desmond accused Rodgers of fostering division, claiming his actions had fuelled hostility toward both the board and the wider executive team.

Furthermore, Desmond suggested the clubs poor on field performances were the result of what he described as one individuals determination to prioritise self preservation. He also insisted that Rodgers had contributed to a toxic atmosphere at the club in the months leading up to his exit.

Desmond stated that Celtic had tabled a new contract for Rodgers during the summer, but that the managers conduct had become increasingly misleading, self serving and divisive. The statement, rare in both tone and severity, made clear the depth of frustration within the boardroom.

Against this chaotic backdrop, Celtics hunt for a new manager has taken on a sense of urgency. Securing Nancy, a coach admired for tactical innovation and squad development, would represent a decisive step toward stabilising the club and establishing a fresh direction for the remainder of the season.

If both sides can iron out the remaining details in the coming days, supporters may soon see the beginning of a new chapter, one shaped by Wilfried Nancys vision and the promise of a more harmonious future after weeks of turbulence.