Wilfried Nancy was initially seen as a left-field candidate for the Celtic job.
Few saw him getting the job ahead of Kjetil Knutsen, Kieran McKenna or even current interim boss Martin O’Neill.
But it was widely reported on Friday that he is Dermot Desmond’s top target for the role, having been recommended by mutual contact Paul Tisdale.
It’s almost three weeks since O’Neill took over from Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis after the latter’s shock resignation.
And Celtic fans are now bracing themselves for the unknown as the Frenchman negotiates a move from Columbus Crew to the champions of Scotland.
Derek Rae on Celtic manager target Wilfried Nancy
Nancy has won two trophies in three years at the Ohio club, being named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024.
His unique brand of possession-based football has made him one of the most talked-about coaches in football outside of Europe.
READ MORE: What Pep Guardiola asked Wilfried Nancy when he met Celtic’s top manager target
Few Scots have as much knowledge of the global game as Derek Rae, who has covered football in the USA among other countries including Germany, Brazil and Spain.
Rae is well-connected, and when prompted about Celtic’s potential appointment of Nancy, he pointed towards the reputation that Nancy has among his colleagues rather than his own knowledge of MLS.
He said: “Not much since I don’t watch MLS a lot. But his reputation among colleagues is strong and a high profile, more pressure-packed European club with a big following like Celtic, logical next step after success in [North] America.
“Reminiscent somewhat of the Ange appointment if it happens.”
Despite being French, Nancy has never coached in Europe, moving to Canada in 2005 where he worked his way up from the very bottom.
Beginning in regional amateur football in Quebec, he joined Montreal Impact’s academy in 2011 and began working with their first team in 2016.
After assisting Thierry Henry, he took over from the Arsenal legend in 2021 for his first managerial role, and just under five years later, he looks to be bound for Celtic.
Previous Celtic connections to MLS
The Hoops’ current squad includes two former MLS players – Auston Trusty, who is currently with Mauricio Pochettino’s US national team, and Alistair Johnston, who played under Nancy in Montreal.
Robbie Keane, one of the best goalscorers the MLS has ever seen from his time at LA Galaxy, was also reportedly in the running for the vacancy at Parkhead.
Lewis Morgan left Celtic to join Inter Miami in 2020, and he has played in MLS ever since. Giorgios Giakoumakis also left the Hoops to play in the States, joining Atlanta United.
Ex-Hoops boss Ronny Deila is an MLS winner, winning the play-offs with New York City in 2021. Gary Mackay-Steven also played for NYCFC.
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