Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson Deliver Powerful Message After Appointing Wilfried Nancy as Celtic Manager
Wilfried Nancy’s appointment as Celtic’s new manager marks the beginning of a fresh chapter at Parkhead.
In a rare move, Celtic confirmed Nancy’s arrival less than an hour before Martin O’Neill took charge of his final match. As O’Neill prepared his last team talk, the club’s hierarchy was already preparing to share their views on the new era under Nancy.
Michael Nicholson: “Nancy was always our number one choice”
Supporters rarely hear lengthy public comments from Chief Executive Michael Nicholson, but he broke his silence to underline just how highly the club rated Nancy.
“We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time – he was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new manager and we are delighted that he has agreed to join the club,” Nicholson told Celtic’s website.
Nicholson added that Nancy is “hugely excited” to take on the role and confirmed that the club will give him “every support” to meet the challenges ahead, with the ongoing aim of delivering success to the supporters.
He also paid tribute to Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus for guiding the team through a difficult period with “professionalism and commitment.”
Dermot Desmond praises Nancy and expresses gratitude to O’Neill
Major shareholder Dermot Desmond also released a statement, echoing Nicholson’s praise for Nancy while offering his “heartfelt thanks” to outgoing interim boss O’Neill.
“In appointing Wilfried to Celtic, we believe we have brought a hugely talented manager to the club,” Desmond said. “He understands the demands here, he has humility, his own ideas, his own vision and a real drive to succeed for the club and our supporters.”
Desmond emphasised that everyone at Celtic will unite behind Nancy and give him full backing as the club moves forward.
He also spoke warmly about O’Neill’s impact:
“I will always hold Martin in such high regard for what he has done for Celtic and for what he is as a man – someone of integrity and professionalism who will always have the club’s best interests at heart.”
Nancy’s early fixtures offer no time to settle
Nancy will be thrown straight into the action, starting with a tough opening match against Hearts. With Europa League commitments and a League Cup final also on the horizon, the new Celtic manager will get an immediate taste of the intensity and expectations that come with the job.
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