Key Takeaways:
- Celtic dismissed manager Wilfried Nancy after just over a month in charge, following a 3-1 loss to Rangers on Saturday
- Paul Tisdale has also departed as head of football operations, along with Nancy’s entire backroom staff
- The Hoops are now seeking their fourth manager of the season, after Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill (interim), and Nancy have all held the position
Turbulent Managerial Changes at Celtic Park
Wilfried Nancy has been relieved of his duties as Celtic manager after enduring a difficult spell of just over a month at the helm. The French coach’s tenure, which began on 3 December, was plagued by poor form, culminating in a damaging 3-1 loss against Rangers at Celtic Park on Saturday. The defeat extended Nancy’s unenviable record to six losses in eight matches, leading the club to act swiftly.
In addition to Nancy’s departure, Celtic have parted company with head of football operations Paul Tisdale. All the members of Nancy’s backroom team who joined in December, including assistant Kwame Ampadu, have also left the club.
After just 33 days in charge, Celtic have sacked manager Wilfried Nancy.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ZPCiwsWm3c
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) January 5, 2026
Run of Results Ends Nancy’s Tenure
Taking over from interim boss Martin O’Neill, Nancy inherited a side that had shown signs of recovery, with O’Neill overseeing seven wins from eight matches, including a Premier Sports Cup semi-final victory over Rangers, a notable Europa League win against Feyenoord, and progress in closing the gap to league leaders Hearts. However, Nancy’s period in charge saw immediate setbacks, starting with a loss to Hearts in a top-of-the-table encounter and a 3-0 reverse away to Roma in Europe, with defensive frailties exposed.
The situation deteriorated following defeat to St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final, after which criticism intensified. Nancy’s cryptic social media post after the final further alienated some supporters. His side subsequently suffered another defeat to Dundee United, making it four losses in succession at the start of his reign, amid mounting negative sentiment from fans and media alike.
Despite halting the slide with wins against Aberdeen and Livingston, Celtic continued to concede goals and soon lost further ground after being outplayed by Motherwell and then collapsing against Rangers, ultimately prompting the board to act.
Official Club Statement
The club came out with a message, stating: “Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect.
“The club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.
“Wilfried’s assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes.
“The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as Head of Football Operations. We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role.
“A further update will be provided to supporters as soon as is practical.”
Celtic’s 2025/26 Season: Managerial Timeline
| Manager | Role | Period in Charge | Notable Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Rodgers | Manager | Start of season – interim period | – |
| Martin O’Neill | Interim Manager | Before 3 December 2025 | 7 wins in 8 games, including wins over Rangers (Premier Sports Cup SF) and Feyenoord (Europa League) |
| Wilfried Nancy | Manager | 3 December 2025 – 5 January 2026 | 6 defeats in 8, including defeats to Hearts, Roma, St Mirren, Dundee United, Motherwell, Rangers |
What Comes Next for Celtic?
This decision leaves Celtic searching for their fourth manager of the season, as they attempt to stabilise their campaign after a turbulent run of results and off-field upheaval. The club has assured supporters that further updates will be provided in due course.
