Celtic could replace Nancy by hiring a manager who’s ‘better than Rodgers’

Scottish champions Celtic ended last term under Brendan Rodgers having claimed a fourth Premiership title in succession, although four in a row has a very different connotation under the new Wilfried Nancy regime.

For the first time since the latter days of the great Jock Stein’s tenure back in 1978, the Hoops have lost four games on the trot, following another abject second-half display away at Tannadice on Wednesday evening.

It had initially looked like one-way traffic as the visitors deservedly took the lead through Daizen Maeda, albeit with a spate of squandered chances, namely from young Johnny Kenny, ultimately proving fatal heading into the second half.

Nancy’s system had caused all sorts of problems for a shaky Dundee United side before the break, although it wasn’t long before Jim Goodwin’s men had found their rhythm, brutally exposing the flaws in this new Celtic set-up to claim a first win since October.

Too many square pegs in round holes. Too many bizarre selection decisions. Nancy’s reign is only in its infancy, but might it already be time to wield the axe?

Why Celtic should already be searching for a Nancy replacement

Now, as has been seen in the past, a period of patience can lead to success later down the line, with Ange Postecoglou notably enduring a difficult beginning at Parkhead, having lost three away Premiership games in succession, prior to mounting a remarkable unbeaten run.

That being said, there is also a sense that it might be wise for Celtic to cut their losses before even further damage is done, with such a miserable run of form simply not acceptable for a club of their stature, even while considering the hospital pass that the Frenchman received regarding this recent run of fixtures.

Recent examples have highlighted how it is better to be ruthless than let a situation drag on, with Bayer Leverkusen having sacked Erik ten Hag after just two games earlier in the campaign, while even the aforementioned Postecoglou lasted just over a month at Nottingham Forest before being shown the door.

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Even if there is a willingness at boardroom level to allow Nancy the time to try and implement his radical changes, there is little evidence to suggest he can turn things around, nor is there any to suggest that Celtic should give him the freedom to spend in January.

This same group of players, it must be remembered, won five Premiership games out of five under interim boss Martin O’Neill, alongside reaching the League Cup final, with the only sour note coming away at FC Midtjylland under the 73-year-old.

Nancy, it would appear, has allowed this team to regress even further than it had even during Rodgers’ final days, with it difficult to comprehend decisions like deploying Luke McCowan at left-wing-back, or starting just a single recognised centre-back.

Do the Hoops consider turning to O’Neill again, or might another free agent coach be more appealing?

Celtic could hire a "better manager" than Rodgers to replace Nancy

As noted by journalist Graeme Bailey, Nancy is “already under pressure” following this disastrous start to life in Glasgow, with that scrutiny only heightened by the looming presence of O’Neill, who could quite easily return to the fold if required.

That said, even while that interim appointment proved fruitful in recent weeks, the treble-winning coach is nothing more than a short-term fit, with Celtic perhaps in need of slightly longer-term thinking.

O’Neill, of course, is a beloved figure at Parkhead, although the same is also true of Postecoglou, with the Aussie likely to represent the dream target, should he be tempted to make a return to Scottish football.

The ex-Forest and Tottenham Hotspur boss – who was among the list of candidates prior to Nancy’s appointment, according to reports – has had a rocky time of things of late, although it was only just over six months ago that he led the north London side to Europa League glory.

In his own view, he is a winner, with that knack for securing silverware having been so evident during his remarkable stint with the Hoops, securing five domestic trophies in just two seasons, while unleashing a brand of football that was a breath of fresh air in the Premiership.

Of course, there may be doubts over hiring another previously successful Celtic manager, after the chaos of Rodgers’ second stint, although journalist Hamish Carton believes he is a “better manager” than Rodgers.

In 113 games in charge, the 60-year-old won 83 of those, while boasting a points per game ratio of 2.31.

Days in charge

750

Games

113

Wins

83

Draws

12

Losses

18

Players used

53

Points per game

2.31

Trophies won

5

In the case of Rodgers, the Northern Irishman recorded a points per game ratio of 2.24 in 169 games in his first stint, prior to registering 2.19 in 123 games in his most recent stint.

Postecoglou’s stint took the club to such highs, having simply blown teams away domestically, while enjoying a remarkable period of recruitment, with bargain deals for the likes of Maeda, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley.

In Nancy’s defence, he has inherited a far less successfully assembled squad, although there can be no excuses amid such a woeful beginning to his time in the dugout.

Change, however brutal it might be, needs to be made, with Postecoglou surely a more than worthy replacement.

He was as bad as Kenny: Nancy must drop Celtic flop who lost 100% duels

Wilfried Nancy must drop this Celtic flop who was as bad as Johnny Kenny and Daizen Maeda.

ByDan Emery