Calls are growing for Celtic to part ways with Wilfried Nancy and bring Martin O’Neill back to the club just over two weeks after his departure.
Former Scotland international and outspoken Celtic supporter Alan Brazil has urged the club to make another change in the dugout, arguing that Nancy is already out of his depth. The Frenchman was appointed on December 3, replacing O’Neill, who had taken interim charge in October following Brendan Rodgers’ exit.
Celtic’s form has nosedived since the change. Nancy has lost all four matches he has overseen so far — the club’s first four-game losing streak since 1978 — placing huge pressure on a manager barely 15 days into the job.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Brazil made his position clear, saying he wants to see immediate change and questioning whether Nancy truly understands the scale of the role. He argued that the manager’s insistence that Celtic are “on the right track” does not match the results on the pitch.
Praise for O’Neill, frustration with the decision
O’Neill enjoyed a hugely successful interim spell, winning seven of his eight matches in charge and restoring momentum. Since his exit, however, Celtic have unravelled, with supporters already turning against Nancy.
Brazil dismissed suggestions that language barriers may be contributing to misunderstandings in Nancy’s messaging, insisting that excuses should not be tolerated at a club of Celtic’s size.
When asked who he would appoint if Nancy were to be dismissed, Brazil gave an immediate answer — Martin O’Neill. The former manager has already stated publicly that he would have been willing to stay on had the club asked him to do so.
Brazil believes Nancy may have been a viable option at the end of the season, but not in the middle of a campaign with so much at stake. He criticised the club’s handling of the transition, saying the situation does not add up, particularly given O’Neill’s openness to continuing.
Calls for patience — and alternative ideas
Co-host Gabby Agbonlahor offered a more measured view, questioning whether it would be fair to judge Nancy after just four matches. He argued that the board would not have appointed him with such a short timeframe in mind and pointed out that missed chances, rather than tactical failings alone, have contributed to recent defeats.
Brazil acknowledged those points but maintained that results and performances matter more than explanations, especially when Celtic are falling behind rivals Rangers in the title race.
He also floated other potential candidates, expressing admiration for Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, though he admitted such a move would be unlikely given Ipswich’s own ambitions. Suggestions of Gareth Southgate were quickly dismissed.
As the debate continued, Rangers legend Ally McCoist joined the show and could not resist poking fun at Brazil’s frustration, making a theatrical entrance accompanied by Rangers’ anthem, underlining the growing pressure and scrutiny surrounding Celtic’s ongoing struggles.
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