Sports
12 Favourites to Replace Wilfried Nancy
It was only one month ago when Celtic confirmed the appointment of Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager. Arriving from MLS club Columbus Crew, the Frenchman put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal and inherited the reigns from interim head coach Martin O’Neill.
But since he first took charge at Parkhead, matters have simply gone from bad to worse for the Hoops. Losing his debut against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, Nancy has won just twice in all competitions since then. And the mounting pressure has gone up a notch in the wake of Celtic’s 3-1 loss in the Old Firm Derby against Rangers.
Despite only inheriting the position a matter of weeks ago, there’s speculation that a change in the dugout could be in the offing. And should the 55-time league champions choose to sack Nancy, the bookies have confirmed who the favourites to come in are.
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Favourites to Replace Nancy at Celtic – 12-6
There’s a proper mix of head coaches running as the outsiders for the potential vacancy at one of Scotland’s biggest clubs. Darren Fletcher just scrapes into the top 12 with odds of 12/1, but as head coach of Manchester United’s under-18 side, he lacks the experience which might have put him among the favourites.
Two international team managers also share similar odds to the former Scotland international. Craig Bellamy is in the running, although it feels unlikely he will desert Wales before their World Cup Qualifying campaign reaches a conclusion. Lee Carsley, though, might be a more likely option, with him impressing during his interim stint as England manager.
Just ahead of the trio in the running is Motherwell gaffer Jens Berthel Askou, who only arrived at Fir Park in July 2025. But he’s done a decent job since then, helping the Steelmen push up the table just behind both Celtic and Rangers, with them the former 2-0 recently.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s managerial career hasn’t gone according to plan since he led Manchester United to a second-place finish in 2020/21. But the Norwegian would be available to start immediately, unlike the remaining two managers who also have odds of 11/1. Scott Brown and Robbie Keane are both in jobs at the moment, but considering their past ties to Celtic, the respective head coaches of Ayr United and Ferencvaros would likely jump at the chance to return to Parkhead.
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Favourites to Replace Nancy at Celtic (12-6) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Manager |
Current Club |
Odds |
|
Darren Fletcher |
Man Utd U18 |
12/1 |
|
Craig Bellamy |
Wales |
12/1 |
|
Lee Carsley |
England U21 |
12/1 |
|
Jens Berthel Askou |
Motherwell |
11/1 |
|
Robbie Keane |
Ferencvaros |
11/1 |
|
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer |
N/A |
11/1 |
|
Scott Brown |
Ayr United |
11/1 |
5
Ange Postecoglou – 6/1
If Celtic are looking for someone who could bring fans together and for someone with the necessary experience to help turn the club’s fortunes around, Ange Postecoglou could be exactly the man they need. During his first stint in Glasgow from 2021 until 2023, he won an impressive 83 matches out of a possible 113, losing just 18 times and collecting two consecutive league titles.
However, the Australian’s recent experience counts against him. Although he did win the Europa League with Tottenham, a disappointing 17th-place Premier League finish was enough to get him sacked. And Postecoglou then only lasted 39 days at Nottingham Forest, marking one of the shortest managerial reigns in the English top flight. Perhaps a return to management would come too soon for him.
4
Kieran McKenna – 11/2
Before they eventually turned to Nancy, Kieran McKenna was heavily linked with Celtic as Brendan Rodgers’ successor. The former Manchester United assistant manager has impressed since joining Ipswich Town in 2021, playing an expansive style of football in the Football League and taking the Tractor Boys to promotion.
While he was unable to guarantee their safety in 2024/25, a return to England’s highest tier seems likely for Ipswich, with them currently second place in the Championship and on track for promotion. Whether McKenna is still there by the time the season concludes, though, remains to be seen, as the bookies once again have him among the favourites to take the Hoops job.
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3
Martin O’Neill – 5/1
After confirming Rodgers’ departure, Martin O’Neill was swiftly confirmed as an interim replacement at Celtic. Having managed the club from 2000 to 2005 and overseen three league triumphs, the Northern Irishman knew the team inside and out and was the ideal man to take over.
His short spell back at Celtic Park was nearly perfect, with O’Neill winning seven out of eight games in charge and helping a struggling team to find some form. He’ll be turning 74 in March, so a permanent return might be unlikely, but a short-term contract until the end of the season would not be a surprise.
2
Kjetil Knutsen – 4/1
Way back in February 2022, Celtic were eliminated from the Europa Conference League by Bodo/Glimt after a 5-1 aggregate result. And now the Hoops’ attention appears to have turned to the mastermind of that result, Kjetil Knutsen.
Now in his eighth season at the club, the Norwegian has since won the Eliteserien on four occasions and was crowned Manager of the Year for three successive seasons from 2019 until 2021. He had been linked with the Celtic job back in November 2025, but would only join under the condition that he saw out Bodo/Glimt’s Champions League campaign. With them currently 32nd on three points and all but eliminated, he might well now be tempted by a change of scenery.
1
Shaun Maloney – 13/8
Ahead of all others, though, is someone who has deep ties to Celtic. Shaun Maloney came through the ranks as an academy graduate, going on to play 209 games for the Bhoys across two spells at Parkhead. That alone would be enough to get him on side with a rapidly fracturing fanbase.
Although the former Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic midfielder hasn’t exactly made waves as a manager during his time with Hibs and Wigan Athletic, he is conveniently placed to take over from Nancy should Celtic elect to make a change. Maloney is currently serving as a development coach and served as interim assistant manager after Rodgers’ departure. It’s little wonder then that he’s the favourite presently.
Odds courtesy of Paddy Power – Correct as of 03/01/2026.
Tottenham are now said to be going after attackers as they look to continue their huge spending this summer. Spurs have already racked up a huge spending total this season, and a record total at that. Roberto De zerbi has been handed more than £230million to improve his squad, and there will be more money spent before the summer is out.
There will be some sales along the way, and Luka Vuskovic was the first to go, while Cristian Romero is likely to follow at some point this summer. But Tottenham’s spending will far outweigh their incomings, and especially after they add to their business with attacking recruits, which is the next step after the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Tottenham handed Kroupi blow
Tottenham’s next priority in the summer window is to sign a winger, with De Zerbi wanting another dangerous wideman and potentially another forward. A number of potential targets have been linked, including Manchester City’s winger Savinho and AFC Bournemouth’s forward Junior Kroupi.
Kroupi has scored 13 goals in 33 league appearances for Bournemouth, and he is now attracting attention from a number of clubs.
Spurs are said to be one of those interested, but according to journalist Alasdair Gold, Bournemouth are not likely to play ball.
“Junior Kroupi we know is a player of huge interest to a lot of clubs, not just Tottenham,” Gold said on his YouTube show. “He is a terrific talent but the feeling coming out of Bournemouth is that he is not for a sale and they’ve been making similar noises about Alex Scott. Spurs are admirers of him. I would love them to go for Alex Scott and he may pick them being a Tottenham fan.”
Kroupi a ‘generational talent’
AFC Bournemouth defender Marcus Tavernier described Kroupi as a ‘generational talent’ earlier this year. He said: “I’ve said before, Junior is a generational talent.
“The club has done an amazing job to pick Kroupi up. That boy has an unbelievable future ahead of him and today he showed why he’s such a good talent in the world of football.”
Kroupi has also been linked with a move to PSG, and there have been reports that he prefers a move back to his home country, France, but much will come down to who can convince Bournemouth to sell. An £80million price has been floated, but if the Cherries do not want to sell, it’s likely any interested club will have to pay over the odds.
Manchester United have been given fresh hope of landing one of their dream transfer targets this summer, The Red Devils have a few needs this summer as they look to build on the momentum from last season, with Michael Carrick having led them to a top three finish.
But there is no need more glaring than the one at the heart of United’s midfield, with Casemiro’s departure leaving a big hole. Ederson is to be brought in from Atalanta, at least if he passes a new medical, and Carrick wants another midfielder.
Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni is said to be the dream target, and there is a fresh claim on that front.
Tchouameni could now leave Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde
According to a report from Spanish outlet Bernabeu Digital, Real Madrid are willing to sell Tchouameni this summer if the money is right and the player wants to leave. Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez this summer, but they now say they will not pursue him. Instead, their attention is said to be on Manchester City and Spain star Rodri, who is again having a fine World Cup campaign. The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract at City, and the Citizens have just signed Elliot Anderson for £116million, meaning they have cover in that holding midfield spot.
The report claims Real Madrid will leave it down to Tchouameni to decide whether he wants to leave or not, but they will pursue a top new holding midfielder regardless, with José Mourinho wanting to strengthen the position.
Several reports suggest United see Tchouameni as their ideal target, and that they are ready to push for a move if they get a green light from Los Blancos.
Ferdinand backs Tchouameni switch
United legend Rio Ferdinand has been praising Tchouameni for years, saying back in 2022: “Listen, Tchouameni is a young kid, he’s going to make mistakes but he’s a superb talent, he produces moments out of nowhere, incredible player. Replacing Pogba in a France XI is not an easy task, but so far, Tchouaméni has been superb. Tchouameni showed why he plays for Real Madrid. He has the patience, talent, control, he has everything you need.”
Backing the midfielder to join United this summer, Ferdinand added: “Do you know what? I know I’ve been sitting here saying that Jose is going to be the man to reintegrate Tchouameni and Valverde together and keep them at Real Madrid.
“But I’ve got to say, if Tchouameni has a half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man Utd have to be the first team at the door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered.”
With Tottenham strengthening significantly in the summer transfer window, we could see a number of players head through the exit door.
The Spurs will be without European football heading into next season after they finished 17th in the Premier League table.
As a result, some of Tottenham’s key players will be looking for new challenges as they aim to play in the Champions League.
Thankfully for Spurs, they’ve already recruited significantly in the summer transfer window, confirming six new additions.
A big rebuild in the summer is likely for Tottenham, and it could be something that is hugely beneficial for them after such a difficult few years.
Roberto De Zerbi has shown signs of turning things around for Spurs, and the club are clearly looking to back him in the transfer market.
Tottenham star has strong chance of leaving
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Cristian Romero has a serious possibility of leaving the club in the summer transfer window.
The reliable journalist confirms that Romero wants to be playing European football next season, while he would also like to experience playing in La Liga.
“Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero, at the moment, from Tottenham Hotspur, the view is clear, they have Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Senesi, they have plenty of centre-backs. Also, not playing European football this season, the idea of parting ways with Cuti Romero is still a serious possibility. So, there is still a strong chances for Romero to leave Tottenham this summer. Despite rumours from Italy that keep arriving with Romero, my understanding is that Romero would really like to have a new experience in LaLiga. So, Cuti Romero would like to have a new experience in LaLiga if the right opportunity arrives for him and for Tottenham.”
Romero adds that could mean playing for Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, but it is currently unclear where he will end up.
“That could be an option for Barcelona, it could be an option for Atletico Madrid, we will see, but Romero would like to go to LaLiga and try an experience in Spain. We will see what arrives for Romero because he signed a contract only a year ago, the season was not easy, but at the same time, there could be movement also because Tottenham already signed several centre-backs, and they feel well-covered in that situation, so it’s going to be a situation to watch.”
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Tottenham can afford to lose Romero
Romero, who has been described as ‘world-class’ by Spurs team-mate Micky van de Ven, has been a key player for Tottenham over the years, but considering their recent struggles, they shouldn’t be overly against selling anyone this summer.
A rebuild is exactly what they need to start heading back in the right direction. With Jan-Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi already arriving through the door, there’s no reason why Romero should be untouchable.
If Tottenham can receive a huge fee from a club in La Liga, it makes sense for them to cash in, especially as they are spending significantly in the summer transfer window.
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