Wilfried Nancy is finally in the door at Celtic…
But he isn’t coming alone. The importance of the backroom staff following the Frenchman to succeed Martin O’Neill has been widely reported.
In fact, Celtic Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale’s pre-existing relationship with Kwame Ampadu is a key reason for the Celts’ pursuit in the first place.
Ampadu was at Exeter City at the same time as Tisdale, before working with Thierry Henry, through whom he would be connected with Nancy.
He and two others will follow Nancy from Columbus to Glasgow… but one other figure is missing.
Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic backroom staff update
Ange Postecoglou famously didn’t bring anyone with him to Celtic when he made the move from Yokohama Marinos.
But this is the exception, more than the rule.
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Columbus Crew have confirmed that assistant manager Ampadu, fitness coach Jules Gueguen and video performance coach Maxime Chalier have followed Nancy to Glasgow.
Highly-rated 35-year-old Yoann Damet was reportedly of interest too, but he has not been mentioned in the statement.
This could potentially be due to Columbus reportedly considering him for the main role, in an attempt to continue Nancy’s legacy at the club.
Nancy is expected to include someone with past knowledge of Celtic and Scottish football in his staff, too.
Could this be Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham or Stephen McManus? It would certainly make sense on paper.
But coaching circles are small, and the Frenchman could have someone else in mind who he is more familiar with.
Nancy will take charge of his first Celtic match on Sunday, in a top-of-the-table clash where Celtic have the opportunity to leapfrog Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
It would certainly be a start, as he gears up for an almighty challenge in his first week in the job.
Wilfried Nancy’s first words as Celtic manager
Nancy has already given his first address as Hoops boss to Celtic TV, before the clash with Dundee.
He said: “I am so happy to be named Celtic Manager, it is a massive honour for myself and my family.
“Before I say anything else I want to do one thing – I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.
“These guys have given so much to the club across so many years and I know our fans, like me, all recognise the brilliant job they have done during this recent period.
“They have my total respect and my total gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally.
“Now it’s up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution.
“Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.”
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