As Celtic edge closer to appointing Wilfried Nancy as their next manager, fresh details have emerged about what his backroom team could look like once he arrives in Glasgow.
According to Record Sport, it remains to be seen whether the Columbus Crew boss will bring all of his trusted lieutenants from the United States, but one thing is likely: a local coach will be included in his Celtic staff.
That immediately raises the possibility of Shaun Maloney staying on in a key role.
Maloney, who is currently assisting Martin O’Neill, is highly regarded within the club and has been praised for his tactical insight and detailed coaching methods.
He also fits the profile of the type of local figure Nancy is believed to want alongside him: someone who knows the Scottish game inside out.
Nancy’s long-term right-hand man Kwame Ampadu has worked with him since their days at CF Montréal, while Yoann Damet has been an integral part of his team at Columbus Crew, focusing heavily on player development and tactical analysis. Both are expected to be part of discussions as Celtic and Columbus finalise terms over Nancy’s move.
When Brendan Rodgers left last month, much of his backroom team, including John Kennedy, departed with him, leaving key positions vacant. That gives Nancy the freedom to shape his own structure, blending familiar faces from his MLS success with a Scottish coach who understands the demands of the Premiership and Celtic Park.
Nancy is understood to be open to collaboration, recognising the value of having local expertise alongside his trusted core from North America.
If the deal is concluded as expected this week, his backroom setup could be confirmed shortly after, with Maloney potentially staying on to form part of Celtic’s new-look coaching team under the Frenchman.
NBC reporter Orri Benatar, who has followed Nancy closely in MLS, told CeltsAreHere that Nancy has built a reputation for sticking with familiar faces. His time at Columbus has been shaped by continuity and trust, especially after bringing key staff members from Montreal with him.
“Nancy loves bringing in guys he’s worked with before. He brought his whole staff from Montreal with him to Columbus.
”Not to mention, there’s definitely more of a French flavour in Columbus since he got here. The whole coaching staff has French experience.
”He has an affinity for his fellow countrymen, for sure, and that makes sense. Any manager would.
”Having that familiarity certainly helps, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought in more faces he already knows.
“It’s fairly typical in MLS that when a coach is hired, they tend to bring a lot of their assistants and strength guys with them. It’s almost like a full shift change.
”It would be interesting to see if he’d keep some of the guys already at your club, but maybe bring in a few from his staff. You could end up with a bit of a mishmash.”
