«Will Wilfried Nancy have the shortest tenure as Celtic manager in history?» This is what the Daily Record after the setback on the lawn of Dundee United (2-1) in the championship. The question may seem a bit provocative but it illustrates a reality. The Frenchman who arrived on the bench of the legendary Scottish club on December 4 is already on an ejection seat. He led 4 matches for 4 losses. From her third appearance, some supporters were already calling for her departure… The Hoops had not experienced such a series since… 1978. Nancy was 1 year old.
Other figures show the extent of the crisis experienced by the club, winner of 13 of the last 14 league titles. Dundee United had not beaten Celtic since 2014 in all competitions, and took the opportunity to end their run of 7 games in a row without a win. Supporters again demonstrated their discontent yesterday in the stands, placed right next to that where the members of the management were seated, simply separated by a row of police officers. Management has already had to step up to defend the 48-year-old technician.
Management support
«I understand the supporters’ concerns about our current situation. I understand and respect the right of each supporter to express their dissatisfaction and share it with usreacted Michael Nicholson, the club’s general manager. But we know where we want to go. Step by step, our role is to support Wilfried, his team and the workforce to achieve our objectives. We started working with Wilfried this week in preparation for the winter transfer window and the summer transfer window because we know we have a project to support.»
This speech is unlikely to reassure the fans, who are particularly angry with this manager, whom they consider to be responsible for almost all of Celtic’s ills. The Bhoys are going through a bad time. A few hours earlier, President Peter Lawwell announced his resounding departure due to“intolerable insults and threats”. Other members of the board were attacked after the defeat in the Scottish League Cup final last Sunday against St. Mirren (3-1). The situation is explosive on all levels and Nancy must wonder what he is doing in there.
«You will think I am an idiot, but I see clear improvements»
«I heard, obviously, it’s not pleasant to hearexplained the coach last night about the discontent of the supporters. I understand their frustration. It’s new for me too to lose four matches in a row. This is new to players and something we don’t want. I don’t think it’s too important a position for me. We didn’t have much time to work. You will think I am an idiot, but I see clear improvements. I see progress every day», he persuades, waiting for better days regarding the results.
Le Havre wanted to take a step forward in his coaching career by coming to Europe. He is served. The nice CV that he built in MLS (assistant to Rémi Garde and Thierry Henry at the Montreal Impact in particular, before becoming number one, then winning an MLS Cup and a League Cup with Colombus) opened the doors to Celtic, a legendary club on the decline. Popular pressure to bring back Martin O’Neil is intense. It must be said that the Northern Irishman is a figure among the Hoops, whom he managed between 2000 and 2005, before ensuring an almost perfect interim period before Nancy (7 victories in 8 matches).
Martin O’Neil’s shadow
Despite his 73 years, O’Neil is considered the man for the job by many supporters and observers, some of whom are close to him. From there to soaping the Frenchman’s board? We are not there yet, but the Scottish media are even betting that he will no longer be on the bench for the derby against Rangers on January 3, in 4 matches. To silence the Cassandras, he has 3 days to rectify a situation that is far from hopeless. 2nd behind Hearts, the reigning champion is only 6 points behind with a game in hand. It’s already too much for such an institution, which refuses to believe that the record of 5 consecutive defeats dating from 1947 will be equaled for the reception of Aberdeen on Sunday.
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– UPDATE
