COLUMBUS CREW head coach Wilfried Nancy is the new stunning front-runner to become Celtic boss.
And it’s believed his strongest rival for the position is Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen.
French-born Nancy, 48, suffered MLS play-offs defeat to Cincinnati at the weekend which ended Crew’s season.
It’s thought the former CF Montreal head coach is under contract at the Ohio-based club, but is still considering his future after nearly three years in the job.
And the MLS coach of the year in 2024 is well regarded by Paul Tisdale.
SunSport can reveal there’s a strong link with the Hoop’s head of operations.
Read more football stories
KNUTS & CROSSES
Kjetil Knutsen drops biggest hint on future yet amid ongoing Celtic links
MEGA OFFER
Get £50 in free bets to spend on football when you stake £10 with Betfred
Nancy’s No2 Kwame Ampadu worked with close friend Tisdale at Exeter City, with the latter also manager at one point of Ampadu’s son Ethan, who became the Grecians youngest ever player at 15.
Ampadu senior – who starred for Arsenal, West Brom, Swansea City and Exeter City among others – would almost certainly follow Nancy to Parkhead if a deal is agreed during the current international break.
Tisdale, who has operated in the shadows since being brought in by Celtic in October, 2024, was quickly given authority to source potential new bosses as soon as Brendan Rodgers sensationally quit on October 27.
Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston knows Nancy having played for him at Montreal before signing for Celtic in December, 2022.
Nancy won the Canadian Championship at Montreal in 2021 while at Columbus he’s won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup.
Knutsen, 57, has worked wonders at Bodo/Glimt over seven years, including a convincing two-legged Europa Conference League triumph over Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic in 2022.
He has guided the minnows to four titles and has been three times Norway’s coach of the year while also blazing a glory path in Europe.
Bodo/Glimt are also in this season’s Champions League, drawing two and losing two, with their next scheduled game against Juventus on November 25.
Knutsen, a free agent at the end of the Norwegian league season in three weeks’ time, was asked about his future immediately after the 5-0 win over Bryne FK.
Asked if he could leave the club, he said: “I don’t have any plans to do that but I hope you won’t throw me out either.
“We have to find the right balance.
“But I think we’ll get it settled quite soon.”
Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is scheduled to have discussions with major shareholder Dermot Desmond over the coming days to discover if he is to remain in temporary charge, is wanted for longer term or if a new man is on the verge of being installed.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
CLASS ACTION
Major school hours shakeup revealed by Scots education bosses
ON TRACK
First look at new £18m train station being built near Glasgow
O’Neill has taken charge of the last four games, league wins over Falkirk and Kilmarnock, the Premier Sports Cup semi-final success over Rangers plus the Europa League humbling from FC Midtjylland.
He has been supported by player pathways manager Shaun Maloney and ex-player Mark Fotheringham who has played, coached and managed throughout Europe while also assisting Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann for the South Korea national team.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
