Celtic have pulled the plug on Wilfried Nancy after just eight games in charge following a damaging run of defeats, with Martin O’Neill returning as interim boss.
Celtic have sacked manager Wilfried Nancy after just eight games in charge, bringing a swift end to the shortest permanent reign in the club’s history. The decision followed Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Rangers, Nancy’s sixth loss in a disastrous 33-day spell. He was appointed on December 3 after leaving Columbus Crew at the end of the MLS season, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. Instead, his tenure unravelled almost immediately amid poor results and growing unrest.
Nancy replaced interim boss Martin O’Neill, who had won seven of eight matches after Brendan Rodgers resigned in October. That contrast only sharpened the scrutiny on the Frenchman as Celtic’s form collapsed. Celtic confirmed Nancy’s departure in a brief statement, alongside the exits of his coaching staff. Head of football operations Paul Tisdale also left the club as part of the clear-out.
Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose his opening two games in charge. That run included a 3-1 defeat to St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final and a 2-1 loss at Dundee United. Celtic then suffered four consecutive defeats for the first time since 1978 under Jock Stein. Although back-to-back league wins against Aberdeen and Livingston briefly halted the slide, heavy losses to Motherwell and Rangers proved decisive.
Across his eight matches, Nancy won just twice, equating to a 25 percent win rate. Under his watch, Celtic conceded 18 goals, more than they had shipped in the opening 24 games of the season combined. Critics highlighted his insistence on a 3-4-3 system, which many felt left the side dangerously exposed. Former striker Chris Sutton described the approach as “kamikaze stuff” and questioned the lack of tactical adaptation.
Despite the turmoil, Celtic remain second in the Scottish Premiership. They sit six points behind leaders Hearts after 20 games, level on points with Rangers but ahead on goals scored. Their 38-point tally is 15 fewer than at the same stage last season, underlining the scale of regression. Celtic have already lost six league matches this campaign, their highest total since 2012-13.
Nancy leaves having managed just five wins in his last 20 games as a head coach, including his final spell with Columbus Crew. His reign was even shorter than John Barnes’ eight-month stint in 1999-2000, which had previously stood as Celtic’s briefest permanent appointment.
The League Cup final loss to St Mirren was an early warning sign, exposing defensive fragility. The 2-0 defeat at Motherwell deepened doubts about direction and belief. However, it was the second-half collapse against Rangers that sealed Nancy’s fate. Celtic conceded three goals after the break at Parkhead, prompting protests and intensifying pressure on the board.
Martin O’Neill has returned as interim manager until the end of the season, supported by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. His immediate task is to stabilise performances and close the gap on Hearts. Celtic host Dundee United on Saturday before trips to Falkirk and Auchinleck Talbot. European commitments also loom, with away fixtures against Bologna and Utrecht in the Europa League, followed by a crucial league visit to Hearts on January 25.
The January transfer window is now critical, with O’Neill already insisting reinforcements are needed. Celtic’s hierarchy must act quickly to prevent a turbulent season from slipping further out of control.
