It is very important that Celtic bring in the right manager. We all know what kind of effect the wrong one can have on a club. Just ask the Rangers, who have been struggling for years to find the right pick and have had to make a sacking pretty much every season. The Hoops cannot afford to get caught up in a similar cycle.
Celtic's top pick for the job will not fill the fans with confidence though. Wilfried Nancy has emerged as the favourite to get the job although the rumours have slowed down a bit over the past two days, after it had looked like an appointment was imminent. Not much new has emerged after news broke that he had been given permission to speak to the Scottish champions. These things take time though.
Nancy does have a track record of success in the MLS. He has exceeded expectations with Columbus Crew and is known to play a good brand of football, which is important for Celtic as well.
That being said, will that translate to Scotland? That is something we do not know. Just because it worked for Ange Postecoglou does not mean that Nancy will be as good. He does not have the varied experience that the Australian had at the point he made the move to Glasgow.
Celtic told to appoint Premiership manager as Wilfried Nancy rumours slow
On the other hand, Richard Foster has questioned what makes Nancy a better manager than someone like Stephen Robinson. He said while speaking on Go Radio (via 67 Hail Hail):
"What makes Wilfried Nancy better than Stephen Robinson?
“Is that not who Celtic play next?
“So, the team you play next have a manager who, with a massively reduced portion of your budget, continues to achieve success in Scotland with the top six and know how to play.
“What makes Wilfried Nancy a better prospect than Stephen Robinson? Apart from the fact that he is French.
“Now, I know we are on about our own managers, but I am claiming Stephen Robinson. If players can play for national teams because of connections. I am claiming him as almost Scottish, because he has been here that long and has had that success."
To be fair, Robinson does deserve a lot of credit for the job that he has done at St Mirren since early 2022. In the three full seasons under his management, they have always finished in the top six. The fact that he has lasted so long in the job is impressive itself considering how often managers get sacked in the Premiership these days.
That being said, it is extremely difficult for a mid-table Premiership manager to be handed the Celtic job. At least Nancy has proven that he can win things, which will be expected of whoever is in charge of the Hoops.
Arguments can be made that Celtic should aim for a more proven and experienced manager, for sure. Ange Postecoglou would have been perfect but he seems keen for some time away from football. On the other hand, it looks like the club have not pushed for the likes of Kjetil Knutsen and Nicky Hayen, although the fans would have been much happier with either of those arriving.