Celtic are prepared to pay up to £2 million in compensation to secure Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew, a sum that reflects both how highly the MLS club rate their head coach and how determined the Hoops are to make him their next manager.
It’s now evident this is no tentative inquiry. Celtic have firmly identified Nancy as their preferred candidate, and the figures involved show a club intent on getting the deal done. Talks have moved swiftly over the past week. Dermot Desmond initiated contact soon after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden exit, but Celtic waited until Columbus finished their season before making a formal approach.
With the Crew’s campaign now complete, negotiations have accelerated. Columbus have permitted discussions, and Celtic are prepared to meet the compensation required. Nancy’s contract runs beyond 2026, which explains the sizeable fee, as MLS clubs hold strong leverage over coaching staff and Columbus are reluctant to lose one of the league’s most respected managers.
Their willingness to negotiate suggests two things: the compensation on offer is significant, and Nancy himself appears open to the move. U.S.-based sources indicate Columbus won’t stand in his way if the deal suits all parties.
For Celtic, the fee represents more than simply hiring a new manager—it’s an investment in a modern football philosophy. Nancy is known for building progressive, possession-oriented teams with clear tactical structure and strong player development. Columbus supporters credit him with reshaping their culture, data usage, and overall sophistication. He is precisely the kind of forward-thinking coach Celtic have long sought but never fully committed to.
Rodgers’ departure laid bare long-standing structural issues at the club, from recruitment shortcomings to internal inefficiencies. If Celtic want true modernisation, they must empower a new manager properly—starting with bringing him in.
Although £2 million may appear steep, for a club badly needing stability and a cohesive long-term strategy, it could prove a small price to pay if Nancy succeeds.
A key element of the deal is Nancy’s desire to bring members of his own staff, including trusted assistant Kwame Ampadu. That will influence how Celtic reshape the backroom team, with existing figures such as Shaun Maloney and Stevie Woods potentially affected depending on the level of control Nancy is granted.
In short, Celtic are close—very close. The deal is not yet complete, but momentum is building. If talks progress smoothly and Desmond signs off before the weekend, Nancy could be in place for Celtic’s return to Premiership action against St Mirren.
The £2 million compensation could mark the beginning of a wider rebuild at Parkhead—and perhaps the club’s most significant managerial appointment in years.
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