Celtic take strong Wilfried Nancy stance as Thierry Henry says: Let him cook

Robin Bairner

19 Dec 2025 07:45 GMT
4 min read

Wilfried Nancy, Celtic, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy retains the backing of the board after making a nightmare start to his time at Parkhead, while Thierry Henry has also thrown his weight behind the Frenchman.

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Nancy has overseen four losses in four games in Glasgow, the latest of which came on Wednesday as he watched his Celtic side allow a 1-0 advantage to slip against Dundee United.

This arrived after losses against Hearts, Roma and St Mirren, during which there was little cohesion about the Hoops’ play.

With fans already becoming restless, Celtic have been forced to back their manager just a fortnight after arriving at the club.

According to Sky Sports: “club chiefs are on board with Nancy’s vision for Celtic and have been fully supportive of his desire to change the system immediately.

“It is believed they feel they are getting a better idea of which current squad members can fit into the new system, to focus on which areas will need recruitment in the January and summer transfer windows.”

What did Thierry Henry say about Wilfried Nancy?

Thierry Henry has weighed into the debate, backing his former assistant and urging the Celtic board to give Nancy time to turn the situation around.

“I see people calling for him to leave the place. As a coach myself, I think it's too early to say that,” Henry told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Let him work and let him cook and judge him maybe at the end of the season.

“The thing is it's tough to come and try to impose your philosophy and your identity at a club maybe - I don't know because I haven't watched many games - playing another way.

“Right now it's too early, and I do think he can turn it around. He is a great guy and has a great mind.

“It's not working at the moment and obviously it doesn't look great. But he's a friend of mine, so I am going to be biased.

“You don't want any coach to lose their job that early. It doesn't make sense to me.”

Celtic face Aberdeen in the Premiership on Sunday, and another negative result will only heap the pressure on Nancy even further.

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