Celtic failure Wilfried Nancy’s previous side Columbus Crew have openly admitted they are overhauling their strategy after the goals dried up under the embattled Frenchman.
The 48-year-old endured a torrid spell during his brief and chaotic tenure in Glasgow’s east end and now his former employers are also adapting following a frustrating final season with Nancy at the helm.
New head coach Henrik Rydstrom is targeting a greater attacking return after the Crew managed just 55 goals last term – a drop from the prior two campaigns and 23 fewer than MLS Cup holders Inter Miami.
The ex-Malmo manager has recognised the necessity to adjust the tactical framework, concentrating on embedding a style capable of flourishing through a counter-attacking approach.
And Crew player Max Arfsten has conceded his team lost some of their sharpness in Nancy’s third year before he was lured away as the permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
Speaking ahead of the new MLS season, Arfsten said:
“I think last year there was a lot of times when we’d have the ball the majority of the game. And sometimes we’d go side to side too much or maybe not be as threatening as we’d like. So I definitely think there’s an element of we can attack quicker when we have the ball and have more of a purpose with the ball. So I think that’s kind of what he’s alluding to (when talking about playing direct).”
Nancy was dismissed from his Celtic role after a loss to Rangers – his sixth defeat in eight outings – became the tipping point for the board, prompting Martin O’Neill to step back in for another rescue stint during the campaign.