Celtic on Monday sacked Wilfried Nancy after just eight games — and six defeats — in charge and brought back Martin O’Neill for the rest of the season.
Celtic moved quickly to take O’Neill back after his successful interim spell before Nancy’s appointment.
O’Neill and Nancy both had eight games in charge and contrasting fortunes. The 73-year-old won seven matches, while Nancy lost six.
The former Republic of Ireland boss said on Celtic’s website: “I am really pleased, in fact, very honoured to be asked back to manage the team again and I am looking forward to getting back to work again with the players.
“I know we would all have hoped for things to have worked out differently under Wilfried and I personally want to wish him good luck with everything he does in the game. He is a fine man and I am sure he will go on and achieve success again, I have no doubt of that.
“For me, I’ve been asked to take this great job on again and my focus will be to try and get us back to winning ways if we can. We will need everyone right behind us.”
Head of football operations Paul Tisdale left his position in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Rangers.
Nancy was terminated just 33 days since he left Columbus Crew in MLS.
The club announced they had “decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy with immediate effect.”
A statement added: “The club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.
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“Wilfried’s assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes.
“The club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as head of football operations. We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role.”
Nancy lost his first four games in charge, including a League Cup final, and six out of eight in total. His final outing was a 3-1 home loss to fierce Glasgow rival Rangers on Saturday in the Old Firm derby, the biggest match in Scottish football.
Nancy’s tenure ended up being slightly shorter than the interim stint of his predecessor Martin O’Neill, who had taken charge following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Oct. 27. Nancy was appointed on Dec. 3.
O’Neill is a fan favorite who won three Scottish titles with Celtic in the early 2000s.
Celtic next play Dundee United on Saturday, starting a hectic run of eight games in 24 days.
That includes two crucial Europa League games against Italy’s Bologna and Dutch club Utrecht as Celtic, currently in the 24th and last qualifying spot, seek to avoid an early exit from the competition.
Celtic also visit Hearts on Jan. 25 in what could be a decisive game in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Hearts are six points clear of Celtic and Rangers at the top of the standings as the Edinburgh club aim to become the first non-Old Firm team to win the title since Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1985.
