Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is set to be replaced by a familiar face in MLS.
Nancy was adored at Columbus Crew across his three years there, and his decision to move to Glasgow is a major blow for the MLS side.
Yoann Damet, one of Nancy’s assistants at the Crew, was initially seen as a likely candidate to replace him in the hotseat, but he has now taken the reins at St Louis City.
This has led the MLS side looking towards the British market for his replacement… more accurately, the man sacked by Rangers earlier this season.
That’s right – according to TalkSPORT, Russell Martin is ‘in line’ to replace Nancy in Columbus.
What’s your thoughts on Anthony Ralston, Celts? Let us know in the comments below
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy to be replaced by a familiar face
Martin was hired by the Ibrox side this summer and went on to have one of the most controversial managerial spells in recent Scottish football memory.
A hammering by Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifier and just one league win in his first seven left his position untenable in early October.
READ MORE: Simon Donnelly spots Premier League boss doing what Wilfried Nancy was criticised for at Celtic
It’s fair to say that he wasn’t popular among the fans at Ibrox. His name was heard being sung from the stands towards the end, but not in the way that he would like.
Martin hasn’t been heard from since leaving Rangers, but has been linked with a variety of roles in the English Championship.
But with Nancy having left a vacancy in Ohio, the ex-Scotland defender looks set to move Stateside.
Martin would join fellow coaches Dean Smith and Eric Ramsay in Major League Soccer, with the league set to undergo a calendar change ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
He has a tough act to follow in Nancy, with the Frenchman having won two trophies in three years in Columbus.
He established their reputation as one of the best teams to watch in the league, being named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024.
He also made the final of the CONCACAF Champions League last year.
Julian Araujo to Celtic… what are your initial thoughts on that rumour?
Columbus Crew’s farewell to Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Upon his departure from the Crew, the club admitted that they had attempted to keep him, but his ‘desire’ to come to Glasgow was clear.
Columbus General Manager Issa Tall said: “Although we wish it was in future years, we recognise Wilfried’s desire to test his skillset and philosophies outside of our league.
“We wish him the best at Celtic, and he’ll always be a significant part of our Club’s great history.”
Columbus look set to hire an ex-Rangers defender after having their manager poached by Celtic, just as Yokohama F. Marinos did in 2021.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
