Fabrizio Romano confirms major shift as Celtic near next manager

Robin Bairner

Updated: 26 Nov 2025 13:44 GMT
3 min read

Fabrizio Romano says that it’s on a matter of time before Wilfried Nancy is named as Celtic’s new manager.

Article continues under the video

After a prolonged search for the man to replace Brendan Rodgers, it has become increasingly evident in recent days that Nancy is the man who is Celtic’s choice for the role.

The 48-year-old is currently employed at MLS side Columbus Crew, but he is set to return to Europe, where he had a career largely in France’s lower leagues.

Having worked as Thierry Henry’s right-hand man in MLS with CF Montreal, he is now poised for the biggest job of his career at Celtic Park.

Romano has previously detailed that “technical things” are holding up the deal that will see Nancy take over from interim manager Martin O’Neill.

Now he has confirmed the deal is close. Taking to X, he reports: “Wilfried Nancy, on the verge of becoming new Celtic manager as deal is almost agreed.

“Final details to be sorted and then the contract will be sealed.”

Wilfried Nancy: What type of manager should Celtic expect?

MLS expert Tom Bogert has explained what Celtic fans should expect of their new manager.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Wilfried Nancy is one of the defining managers of the last half-decade in MLS. His tactical evolution, how brave his team are, how courageous they are, it’s total football that starts from the back.

His tactical evolution, how brave his team are, how courageous they are, it’s total football that starts from the back.

- Tom Bogert

“He likes to play out of a back three, but his outside centre-backs have freedom to get forward. His wing-backs play like wingers. Under his watch, almost every attacker has had their best-ever season.

“He is a developmental manager. He gets the best out of young players, in prime players and older players and he plays a front-footed, possession-based, attractive style of football.”

Celtic are in the midst of a busy run of fixtures currently, with Nancy apparently primed to take over in this hectic spell, during which the Hoops face critical matches against the likes of Feyenoord, Hibernian, Hearts and Roma in a two-week period.