Nancy rues lack of time after 'beautiful' 33-day Celtic spell

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• Published2 hours ago

Wilfried Nancy says his 33-day tenure as Celtic manager was a "beautiful experience" but contends it's a "no brainer" to say that he didn't get long enough to impose his way of doings things at the club.

The Frenchman, who had a record of two wins and six defeats - including the League Cup final - also claims some players struggled to adjust to his style.

Nancy, back living in the United States, where he enjoyed success with MLS club Columbus Crew, has discussed his time in Scotland publicly for the first time since leaving in January.

Speaking on the Training Ground Guru podcast,, external the 49-year-old has conceded that the timing of his move was a mistake.

He took charge at the start of December, replacing Martin O'Neill, who had been in temporary charge after Brendan Rodgers' departure in October.

"On refection, when I went there it was not a good moment," Nancy said.

"I knew it could be difficult regarding the schedule and injuries, so that's why I put everything into perspective. Obviously I didn't have enough time to do things the way I do things, but I have no bad words about my time.

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"It was a beautiful experience. I do my job with passion and I look for players with passion and this club the fans and the city we feel it, it's been amazing for that. Obviously, things could have been better, but life is about moments."

During his wretched spell in charge, his only wins came against bottom-six sides Aberdeen and Livingston.

Defeats included that League Cup final against St Mirren and Scottish Premiership games with Hearts, Dundee United, Motherwell and Rangers. Celtic also lost at home to Roma in the Europa League during his tenure.

Nancy was sacked in the aftermath of a 3-1 home defeat by Rangers and replaced with the interim manager he had taken over from - O'Neill.

Since then, the veteran has taken Celtic to the verge of another Premiership title and a Scottish Cup final. However, Nancy believes he could have been a success had he been given more time.

"That's why they hired me," he said. "I'm not a conservative coach. We had a plan because I also did my due diligence. My idea was not to change everything but step by step to bring something new.

"The support I had from the club and the chairman was huge. We were on the same page but with results, the perspective changes. I have no problem with that.

"Football is irrational sometimes and it's a no-brainer that I didn't have enough time."

TV bans & friendship with Martin

Nancy's "holistic" approach to improving the environment around the Celtic training ground extended to trying to ban Sky Sports News being on screens.

"I had discussions with people at the club about it," he revealed. "When you come in and the TV is on, you unconsciously get information and pressure and pressure.

"When results are bad and you come into a safe environment and you get news about, 'the players were not good, the coaches were not good, you should be doing this' - that's when this job is difficult."

Another coach who found managing in Glasgow difficult and paid the price for poor results was Russell Martin.

The former Scotland defender was sacked by Rangers three months before Nancy's Celtic tenure ended, having only been appointed last summer.

The two have bonded over their common experience, with Martin apparently reaching out to Nancy and the pair striking up a friendship.

"I respect him as a person but also as a coach," Nancy added. "What he did at Southampton was amazing; I remember games he played in a certain way.

"He has a way to see football that I like. It's a weird story and a funny story because we were both in Glasgow and didn't succeed over there. It doesn't mean we are good or bad, but that this is part of our journey."

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• Celtic
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