There are definite Eddie Howe vibes about the appointment of Wilfried Nancy as Celtic manager. Martin O’Neill continues in the job.
It had been assumed that the Frenchman would be appointed on Monday or Tuesday. Today O’Neill announced that he would manage Celtic against Dundee on Wednesday night. Pre-match at Easter Road on Sky Sports, no leaked report.
Tomorrow marks five weeks from the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, the interim appointment of O’Neill was announced at the same time.
It was assumed that after four matches in charge O’Neill would step down with the new man appointed during the international break.
Two weeks between matches, time to bed in, get used to the club, opponents, the training ground, the support staff. Perfect timing.
ADVANCED TALKS
On November 14 Michael Gannon of the Daily Record announced that Celtic were in advanced talks to appoint Nancy.
The assertive language used by someone close to the Celtic media loop suggested that it was virtually a done deal. All other media outlets ran from that story, there were no dissenters to be found.
Deep dives were done into Nancy. His likely signings and backroom staff were profiled.
Surprisingly Celtic announced on November17 that their interim management team would be in charge against St Mirren.
Michael Nicholson avoided questioning at the Celtic AGM on November 21.
DUNDEE DEBUT?
Next up on November 23 Peter Martin of PLZ Football announced:
Wilfried Nancy is all set for a December start as the new manager of Celtic.
I understand the 48-year-old French manager, currently in charge of MLS side Columbus Crew, is set to take over the Scottish Premiership champions on December 1st, if not before, depending on the completion of contracts for four members of his backroom staff who are expected to join him in Glasgow over the next seven days.
Like Gannon, Martin is well connected inside Celtic media circles.
Nancy had been expected at Easter Road today, seeing his new side in the flesh after extensive analysis.
On Saturday night Peter Martin interviewed O’Neill at the John Hartson Charity Dinner. He asked about his thoughts ahead of his last match away to Hibs.
At some point on Saturday night O’Neill was contacted by Shaun Maloney to say that they’d be staying on for the Dundee match, at least. O’Neill had a missed call from Nicholson on his phone.
At Easter Road today Martin was asking questions of O’Neill and his extended stint at interim manager.
Peter Martin:
How do you handle this situation where suddenly you find out you’re in charge for another game?
Martin O’Neill:
Yeah, that was a wee bit strange I must admit, you know. So, I had a joke up there about saying, whatever is happening to the paperwork, I have no idea, maybe I’m hiding it! You must be bored asking me about the questions.
So, it was a strange thing because I only found out yesterday. I genuinely thought this was my last game.
THE SATURDAY PHONE CALL
QUESTION:
Who gave you the call, Martin, to say you were staying on for a few days longer?
MARTIN O’NEILL
My wife. No, I’m joking. Oh, lads, honestly, just take my crap humour, honestly. And just burn it, for God’s sake. Burn it. Burn it.
I think I missed a message from Michael Nicholson. And it was Shaun who told me. So, that’s Shaun Maloney told me. And I said to him, does that mean I have to work with you again for another week? And he wasn’t happy with that!
But he has done great, honestly. So, as I said to you, worth repeating, I couldn’t have done this without the backroom staff, a lot of them there, have been great to me and for me.
ECHOES OF EDDIE
In the spring of 2021 a number of informed reports claimed that Eddie Howe had agreed to become Celtic manager at the end of the season.
Some reports claimed that contracts had been exchanged although crucially not signed.
Speculation on Neil Lennon’s successor was halted.
Celtic fans watched Bournemouth closely. It was being claimed that Howe was on a massive bonus if they won promotion back to the EPL.
Signings from Bournemouth were expected, members of Howe’s likely Celtic backroom team were profiled and discussed.
A number of likely deadlines passed by. Bournemouth failed to win promotion.
Eventually Celtic announced that Howe wasn’t going to become their manager. The same day attention switched to Ange Postecoglou.
O’NEILL OR NANCY?
With every success under O’Neill the pressure on Nancy increases.
A management change in mid-season always carries risk. Appointing a manager with no experience in Europe is a risk. Inheriting a badly unbalanced squad stricken by long term injuries adds to the risks.
Dermot Desmond clearly makes the big decisions at Celtic.
He will know the risks involved in appointing Nancy at this stage. Taking on Hearts, Roma and a cup final in his first week. With virtually no time of the training ground.
THE RISKS OF CHANGE
The Celtic players underwent pre-season with Rodgers. In mid-season they have adapted to O’Neill and Maloney.
A third change before Christmas is high risk.
With each passing hour of in-decision speculation will rise that the Nancy deal is off.
Another club statement is unlikely.
Which leaves fans to piece together informed reports to decide what is going on.
Only a brave or foolish man would bet on Nancy being in charge against Hearts a week today. There could well be a few more twists to O’Neill’s ‘interim’ appointment.
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