Just 33 days after his introduction, Celtic Glasgow has parted ways with coach Wilfried Nancy. The Scottish champions announced this two days after the 3-1 defeat on Saturday in the Old Firm against Glasgow Rangers led by German coach Danny Röhl.
The club introduced Nancy’s successor, Martin O’Neill, that evening. The 73-year-old, who had already looked after the traditional club on an interim basis before Nancy’s commitment, has now received a contract until the end of the season.
The separation from Nancy ended a major misunderstanding at the traditional Scottish club. The 48-year-old Frenchman lost his first four games as Celtic coach, including the League Cup final against FC St. Mirren (1:3). “I know we all hoped things would be different under Wilfried and I personally wish him the best of luck in everything he does in football,” O’Neill said, according to a club statement.
Defeat in the Old Firm was one too many
Overall, the team under Nancy suffered six defeats in eight competitive games. Celtic are second in the league – six points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian and level on points with third-placed Rangers.
Nancy was only introduced as the new trainer on December 3rd, and he took over training a day later. Nancy’s term in office was even slightly shorter than the interim period of his predecessor O’Neill, who took over on the sidelines after the resignation of successful coach Brendan Rodgers on October 27th – and also won seven of eight games.
O’Neill had already coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005 and celebrated three league and cup victories during this time. “I have been asked to take on this great task again and my focus will be on getting us back to winning ways,” he said.