Wilfried Nancy’s rise has been remarkable.
In just five years, he has gone from being offered his first role in senior management to being the most sought-after coach in North American football – and he’s now on Celtic’s radar.
The Hoops have been linked with Kieran McKenna and Kjetil Knutsen since the role became available after Brendan Rodgers’ departure.
Martin O’Neill has taken care of the first team in the meantime, doing a commendable job in difficult circumstances.
But as Nancy seemingly closes in on the role, we looked at why exactly he has spent the last 20 years living across the Atlantic.
Celtic-linked Wilfried Nancy on leaving France two decades ago
Nancy’s career as a professional player lasted just four years, before he ventured into coaching.
He moved to Quebec in 2005 and started working at university and under-14 girls’ level, working all the way up to the top job at the biggest club in the province.
READ MORE: Peter Martin suspects Celtic appointment before AGM, but raises Wilfried Nancy alternative
CF Montreal v New York City FC
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He has since become an MLS Champion, and was named coach of the year by the division in 2024.
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Speaking to the Men in Blazers podcast, he discussed his decision to leave France, which would ultimately change his life.
He said: “I’m laughing, because there’s a word I like to say, which is serendipity. I could have stayed in France, having a good life. You know, south of France, my house, coaching, and so on.
“But I think that, again with my parents because I travelled a lot, I knew that one day I would try to live overseas, and discover something overseas.
“At the time, my sister and my mother were living in New York, so my plan was to go to New York. But it was so difficult with what I wanted to do, in terms of papers and so on.
“So in Canada, one of my best friends came one year before me. He told me already about this desire to get better in terms of football. This desire to improve the quality of the players.
“So I said, ‘you know what, I’m going to come on vacation.’ So I went on holiday for two weeks, but at the same time, I met a few people, and I had a good vibe. I can’t explain, but I’m a person who has to feel things in my soul to decide something.
“I am a guy of emotions, so I need to get emotions to be comfortable with my decision. And when I went over there for two weeks, I had emotions.
“So I said, ‘you know what, instead of staying in my comfort zone in France, let’s try it for one year.’”
Celtic’s pursuit of Wilfried Nancy
The Hoops reportedly stepped up their push for the Columbus Crew boss after their season concluded with a play-off defeat to Ohio rivals FC Cincinnati.
Nancy’s assistant, Kwame Ampadu, worked with Paul Tisdale at Exeter City and his links to the Hoops’ Head of Football Operations have been pivotal in his candidacy for Celtic.
Talks accelerated over the weekend with the Hoops away from action during the international break, but a Celtic statement released on Monday seemingly poured cold water over talk of an immediate arrival for Nancy.
Despite this, media reports are insisting that Nancy is on the road to becoming Celtic manager and could still be in the door in time for Friday’s AGM.