Wilfried Nancy has offered a potential move to Carlisle United more than 20 years ago as evidence that he understands Scottish football!
It is an incredible claim, absolute desperation from the worst manager in the history of Celtic.
Four defeats in four matches have been thoroughly deserved.
The performances have been as bad as the results. Of equal concern are the comments before and after matches.
Nancy has no concept of what it takes to manage Celtic, about Scottish football.
That is hardly a surprise.
FRENCH JOURNEYMAN
After a no-mark playing career that consisted of 26 appearances over 8 years in the French lower leagues he headed to Canada.
Since 2005 he has coached in North America. His CV is nowhere near what is needed to manage Celtic.
In Europe he needs to build his way up at clubs similar to those that he played for. Like Raon-lEtape, Beaucairois or Chatellerault. When you played at those clubs Carlisle United is the big time.
Covering Nancy’s all-in media conference last night The Celtic Way reports:
QUESTION: Is it possible that you’ve underestimated Scottish football?
No, no. No, I know Scottish football. I know the way it is. I come from France. I come from Europe. I was close when I was a player to sign with Carlisle.
WOW, no one has ever quoted Carlisle in comparison to Celtic. With the greatest of respect to John Gorman, John Haplin, Owen Archdeacon and Dylan McGeouch.
So, I know exactly where I am. I know that Scottish football, this is physical. I know that there is a lot of intensity. I know that there is a lot of fight. And the referees don’t whistle a lot. I know that.
I think that, again, today, since I came here, this is not like we went off the record. But, again, in terms of results, because I’m judged on that, you are talking like this, and I take it. But at the end of the day, I think that we, again, I’m going to repeat myself, we are improving.
But, tonight, it’s a perfect situation regarding what we should have done or could have done to win this game. But we have to do better in this situation.
Comments like that simply make you question the decision to appoint Nancy as Celtic manager.
CELTIC RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The number one candidate according to Michael Nicholson. We can only assume that the short list contained one name, drawn up by Doctor Football, Paul Tisdale.
What interviewing process went on?
Instantly anyone interviewing him would flag up a language issue. Nancy might be good for kids coaching or with students in the USA but he needs to be 100% with English or be an outstanding coach to succeed at Celtic. Nancy is neither.
For all his faults it is hard to see Nancy getting past Dermot Desmond in an interview.
In 2000 Desmond got cold feet over Gus Hiddink. His gut instinct said no. The chase for the Dutchman ended, Celtic appointed Martin O’Neill it worked out very well.
Whoever interviewed and approved Nancy needs to be removed from Celtic.
CELTIC INCOME CRASH
Nicholson has already masterminded failure in the Champions League. Income from UEFA, directly and through gate money will be down the best part of £30m this season.
Not Another Penny is having a massive impact on merchandise sales. No one knows the detail of the Adidas contract but there are bound to be clauses to it. Bonus payments and penalties. Adidas don’t hand money over based on goodwill or past sales.
Nicholson has allowed Tisdale to take control of all things football, resulting in Nancy in the dug-out.
After the Roma defeat and Craig Brown like comments there were concerns.
The manner of the performance against St Mirren and post match comments were a step too far for many fans.
Every hour that Nancy, Tisdale and Nicholson remain at Celtic is an hour lost. That is crystal clear.
Current boss Mark Hughes has nothing to fear from Nancy. The Frenchman wouldn’t get on the short list for the Carlisle job, he would never get near four matches in charge wreaking havoc with his enlightened 3-4-3 tactics promising jam tomorrow.
