Wilfried Nancy’s spell at Celtic will go down as one of the worst in the club’s history.
It is also the shortest of any permanent Celtic manager, lasting less days than Martin O’Neill’s interim spell which came before.
Nancy certainly wasn’t the only problem at Celtic, but when you see the sheer drop-off in results after he assumed O’Neill’s position, it’s clear that the appointment was ill-conceived, ill-timed and, ultimately, ill-fated.
He was dismissed alongside his biggest ally, Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale. But another one of his allies – this time from Columbus – has spoken out on his sacking.
Steven Moreira was a mainstay for Nancy in MLS, and was in attendance at the Glasgow Derby against Rangers, Nancy’s last game. His take on Scottish football is… interesting.
Would Celtic have won that game under Wilfried Nancy?
Steven Moreira on Wilfried Nancy and Celtic
The Cape Verde international played on the right of Nancy’s back-three, or as we all know it, the Anthony Ralston role.
He won the MLS Player of the Year award two years ago, playing the same overlapping role that Ralston did.
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But is he an expert on Scottish football? Clearly not, after his comments on Saturday.
Moreira said: “Wilfried Nancy’s next job will see him as a manager in Europe and he will do it well. I am 100 per cent sure of that.
“Even though it failed for him at Celtic, he will definitely coach in Europe next. It was hard for him to come to Celtic in mid-season, very hard.
“Honestly, I was there at the game between Celtic and Rangers and, no disrespect, but I really think that the MLS is way, way better than the Scottish League.
“I was very surprised how bad it was. That’s just my opinion.
“It was an amazing experience to work with him. He was a very good coach. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with.
“He changed my position and I was very happy for him getting a job at a big club in Europe, but obviously it didn’t work out.
“But the difference between the MLS and Scotland is a lot.”
That last sentence is most definitely true, but possibly not in the way that Moreira means it…
What do you think is the main reason Wilfried Nancy couldn’t buy a win as Celtic manager? 🤔
The stats are damning…
Wilfried Nancy’s short Celtic spell
Nancy’s start to life at Celtic was daunting on paper – and in the end, the worst-case scenario was exactly what played out.
After O’Neill’s run of wins in his interim spell, Nancy lost 2-1 to Hearts, 3-0 to Roma and 3-1 to St Mirren in his first week.
This was bruising enough, and after a 1-0 defeat to Dundee United, fans were already calling for him to be sacked.
Wins over Aberdeen and Livingston weathered the storm and showed better signs on the pitch – but in a crucial week of games against Motherwell and Rangers, two more defeats sealed Nancy’s fate.
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