Wilfried Nancy Reveals He Could Have Joined Celtic Later

Wilfried Nancy has revealed that his move to Celtic could have happened later, but that he chose to come in early to understand the squad and prepare for what lay ahead.

It was a decision made with the long view in mind, even though the short-term cost has been heavy. Nancy arrived at the club during a turbulent period, with Martin O’Neill holding the fort on an interim basis before the handover.

Results were already wobbling under Nancy, confidence was low, and the fixture list offered little space to reset. What followed was a brutal start that tested everyone involved.

Four defeats in quick succession created a difficult opening chapter for the new manager. The timing meant Nancy was learning about his players in competitive matches rather than on the training ground. That made every mistake louder and every setback harder to manage.

Despite that, Nancy has been clear that arriving early was a deliberate choice. January was always in mind.

Understanding the squad, its limits, and its needs required exposure, not distance. The price was paid in results, but the information gained may prove just as important.

He said: (TCW), “Yes, that’s why I came at this moment. I could have come a little bit later.

“But now, with the club, we decided that it was the moment because I needed time to assess the team and to evaluate. So if I was thinking about myself, maybe I could have been a little bit later.

“But the timing is the timing. So that’s why I accept all the things that happened.

“This is new for me to have four losses. This is new for the players to have four losses.”

Those comments give context to a start that has felt harsh. Nancy walked into a situation where there was little margin for bedding in.

Matches arrived faster than lessons could be learned. The decision to join early meant facing problems head-on rather than watching from afar.

The presence of Martin O’Neill as interim manager underlined how unsettled the period was.

Transition phases are rarely smooth, and this one proved especially difficult. Nancy inherited a squad low on confidence and short on time, which is rarely a good mix.

What stands out is his acceptance of the consequences. He did not suggest that the defeats were unfair or unlucky.

He framed them as part of the cost of arriving when he did. That kind of ownership matters, especially when supporters are looking for honesty rather than excuses.

The four losses also served as a sharp introduction for the players. Nancy pointed out that this run was new for them as well.

That shared experience can be uncomfortable, but it can also bring clarity. Weak points are exposed quickly when results go against you.

From a longer view, arriving early gives Nancy a clearer picture ahead of January.

He has seen the squad under stress. He has seen how players react when confidence dips. That knowledge is difficult to gain from a distance or during a calmer spell.

Preparation is not always about sessions on the training ground. Sometimes it comes from seeing limits tested in real conditions.

Nancy now knows more about what this group can handle and where support is needed.

For supporters, the early arrival explains some of the pain. The start has been a nightmare on paper, but it was not accidental.

It was the result of a choice to engage early rather than wait for comfort.

January now looms as a point of action rather than hope. Nancy has had time to assess and evaluate, just as he said. The losses were hard, but they were part of a wider plan to understand the squad as quickly as possible.

Whether that decision pays off will be judged later, but the reasoning behind it is now clear.