Celtic have reportedly decided on the future of head coach Wilfried Nancy just 15 days into his reign as Hoops boss.
Nancy, 48, joined from the MLS side Columbus Crew at the start of the month and has overseen the Scottish champions lose four successive matches in just fourteen days - including falling to a 3-1 defeat against St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park on December 14.
The run is the club’s worst since 1978.
The Frenchman replaced interim head coach Martin O’Neill, who was temporarily standing in for Brendan Rodgers, who was sacked in late October. Nancy watched Celtic lose 2-1 to Dundee United on Wednesday (December 17), leaving the Hoops six points behind league leaders Hearts – although the Glasgow outfit do have a game in hand.
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Following the loss at Tannadice Park, the away supporters vented their fury at both the Celtic board and Nancy as rumours began to circulate about the Frenchman’s potential dismissal.
And with Aberdeen to come at Celtic Park on Sunday (December 21), a decision was expected to be made on the head coach’s future just 15 days into his reign as Hoops boss.
On Thursday evening (December 18), a report from Sky Sports claimed that Nancy has “the full backing of the board”, despite the current run of poor form, and he took charge of training at Lennoxtown as usual earlier in the day.
The club’s hierarchy are reportedly still “on board” with Nancy’s philosophy and vision of where he wants to take the football club while also remaining supportive of his desire to change the playing style and system employed by predecessor Rodgers.
The board are currently assessing which players they believe fit into Nancy’s system while focusing on areas which will need bolstering in both the January and summer transfer windows.
CEO Michael Nicholson revealed that he held a meeting with Nancy in relation to player recruitment on Wednesday (December 17).
Nancy was appointed on the recommendation of Celtic’s head of operations Paul Tisdale, who is currently on holiday but is thought to still be working closely with the club ahead of what could be a crucial January transfer window.
Speaking after Celtic’s defeat at Dundee United, former striker Chris Sutton insisted that, despite not having a pre-season with his players, Nancy must still win the league.
"Since Martin O'Neill left, the confidence of certain players has dropped,” Sutton said.
“The bottom line with Celtic, and it has been like this all season, is that it isn't working.
"He needs to get his team performing and some belief in the fanbase. Sunday is going to be really interesting, the atmosphere inside Celtic Park and how that goes.
"Celtic have to win the league this season to get in the Champions League, and that is the be-all and end-all.”
Luke Davies