Celtic have parted ways with manager Wilfried Nancy after a tough stretch of results. The club announced the decision on Monday, January 5, 2026, following six defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions. The losses included games against Hearts, Roma, St Mirren in the League Cup final, Dundee United, Motherwell, and Rangers.
Nancy took over in late 2025 from Columbus Crew in MLS. He brought a reputation for attacking football and won titles in America. Fans hoped he would build on Celtic’s strong history in Scotland. Things started okay, but form dropped sharply over the winter.
The board also let go of his assistants: Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier. Head of football operations Paul Tisdale left too. It was a full clear-out of the backroom team.
Celtic sit second in the Scottish Premiership with 38 points. Hearts lead with 41. The gap is small, but the recent run put real pressure on the title defence. A cup final loss to St Mirren hurt most, ending hopes of silverware there.
No permanent replacement is named yet. Betting sites point to Martin O’Neill as the favourite for an interim role. The former Celtic boss won trophies before and knows the club well.
Players like Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor kept performing in spells. But the team lacked consistency. Defensive errors and slow starts cost points in key games.
Fans have mixed feelings. Some hoped Nancy needed more time to settle. Others say results demanded change. Social media shows support for the decision alongside worry about another managerial switch.
Celtic has a big history of success under owners and boards expecting wins. The pressure is always high at Parkhead. Nancy’s short stay adds to a list of recent changes.
The next match brings a chance to reset. Whoever steps in faces a busy schedule with league and cups.
Nancy thanked the club in a short note. He said he worked hard but accepted the outcome.
The search for a new manager starts now. Names like O’Neill or others with Scottish experience come up often.
Celtic remain favourites for the title on paper. Points dropped make it tighter. Hearts push hard this season. Supporters hope for quick stability. The team has the talent to recover. For now, the focus shifts to the pitch and getting back to winning.