Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has dismissed negative responses following his first match in charge, a 2-1 defeat to Hearts FC at Parkhead. The result leaves Celtic three points behind the leaders in the William Hill Premiership, although they do have a game in hand. Nancy, who was appointed just days before the match, emphasized that he will not be distracted by criticism regarding his tactics or personal style.
Focus on Performance Over Criticism
During the game, Nancy utilized a hand-held tactics board to communicate with his players, which drew mixed reactions from pundits. One radio commentator even questioned his choice of green trainers, prompting Nancy to address the situation directly at a press conference before the upcoming Europa League match against AS Roma.
“People deserve the right to talk,” Nancy stated. “I’m going to dress one way, maybe they are going to say that they don’t like the way I dress, so I don’t waste time on that.” He stressed the importance of focusing on what he can control, particularly in relation to his players and their performance on the field.
Reflecting on his journey to becoming a manager, Nancy noted, “When I decided to become a coach — sorry, when I had the opportunity to become a coach — I was an assistant coach for seven years. I worked with many coaches and always told myself, when you become a coach, cut everything.”
He added that he has limited his engagement on social media, stating, “On Twitter, I cut everything, regarding my name, regarding the club, regarding what people say, because they have the right to say something. This is part of the job.”
Balancing Expectations and Personal Well-Being
With a crucial Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren approaching this Sunday, Nancy acknowledged the pressures of his new role. He revealed that his mother expressed concern about his well-being, noting, “My mum told me that I have bags [under my eyes]. I said, ‘Yeah, mummy, I just came in, jet-lagged, trying to anticipate everything.’”
Despite the challenges, he remains enthusiastic about his position. “This is part of our job. I’m really excited by that,” he remarked. Nancy emphasized the need to understand the cultural context in which he is working, stating, “I try to open my eyes to understand the culture and the context.”
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to his coaching philosophy, asserting, “This is not something that I’m trying to cope with. This is something that I feel. After that, we’ll see.” As he prepares for the upcoming matches, Nancy’s focus remains on optimizing his team’s performance and achieving success on the pitch.
