Columbus Crew head coach Nancy favourite for Celtic job

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill (left). Pic: Steve Welsh/PA Wire.

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has emerged as the red-hot bookmaker's favourite to become the next Celtic manager.

Martin O'Neill, 73, has been in caretaker charge of the Hoops for the last four games since Brendan Rodgers resigned just over a fortnight ago.

It has been reported that Nancy has become the club's primary target and bookmakers have responded by making the 48-year-old odds-on favourite.

Nancy, who played as a defender in France, got his break in management in 2021 when he stepped up to succeed Thierry Henry as head coach of Montreal and won the Canadian title in his first year in charge.

He has spent the past three years in charge of Columbus Crew and won the MLS Coach of the Year award last year. Nancy's season with his current club has just come to an end after they lost to Cincinnati in the play-offs last weekend.

Celtic have given no indication publicly of how soon they intend to appoint a new permanent manager.

O'Neill, who has overseen three wins and a Europa League defeat by Midtjylland, had suggested he would be open to staying on for next month's Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.

However, the Northern Irishman also said in his most recent interview - after Sunday's win over Kilmarnock - that he had found the exertions of management "tough" over the past couple of weeks.

Celtic, who have been badly hit by injuries, are currently seven points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts, with a game in hand.

When they return to action after the international break, they have a gruelling run of 12 fixtures in six weeks between November 22 and January 3 as they bid to revive their title bid, secure the Premier Sports Cup and keep alive their hopes of Europa League progress.

Meanwhile, Championship outfit Swansea City have parted ways with manager Alan Sheehan.  Athlone native Sheehan departs with the club 18th in the second-tier.

Sheehan has been in charge of the club twice, first as interim boss in December 2023 after Michael Duff left, before being re-installed to that role last February. 

He was then handed a three-year deal in the summer, but a disappointing start to the campaign has seen the club take action. 

Swansea City owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen said in a statement: "Alan has been instrumental in helping improve the club through two periods of time. Alan has a tireless work ethic, an honest approach and a positive attitude. 

"He has put his full effort into the job on behalf of the club."