Celtic supporters searching for real insight into Wilfried Nancy need look no further than the man who knows him best: Antoine Guldner, the long-time coach who worked alongside Nancy for more than a decade at CF Montréal.
Speaking exclusively to CeltsAreHere, Guldner offered a remarkably detailed look into the mindset, personality and coaching philosophy of the man expected to take over in Glasgow. His comments paint a picture of a manager who is not only tactically sophisticated, but driven by emotion, connection and an unshakeable belief in player development.
What emerges is a portrait of a modern coach, someone who thinks deeply, works relentlessly and refuses to compromise on his principles. Guldner describes Nancy as a teacher, a builder and a culture-setter, someone whose identity has shaped entire academy systems and first-team environments. At a time when Celtic need clarity, structure and leadership, these insights provide a compelling argument that Nancy may be exactly the profile the club has lacked since Ange Postecoglou’s departure.
Just as importantly, Guldner’s reflections reveal a coach who thrives under pressure rather than shying away from it. Whether managing dressing-room personalities, responding to poor results or navigating upper-management challenges, Nancy appears to be unusually calm, composed and grounded. His ability to explain his decisions, involve players in the process, and stay committed to his vision stands out as one of his key strengths.
And above all, Guldner stresses Nancy’s humanity, a rare quality in modern football. He cares deeply about his players, believes in joy as much as intensity, and sees football as an emotional experience rather than just a tactical one. For a Celtic support desperate to reconnect with its team after months of frustration and division, this might be the most important insight of all.
He said: “He was already very open-minded as a coach, very open to know different parts of performance, how he can optimise his own work and the performance of his players, a young coach, very passionate about this sport and with this desire to have success, but with this connection with the players.
“For him, every day you need to win the day. There is intensity, reflection, competition, joy, you need to see, you need to think, you need to take a decision. Everything is connected with staying on task and competing.
“He knows what he does. He believes in what he does. He has humility and he’s open-minded. He can explain everything, and when it’s difficult, he stays composed. If you can control something, you have to control it, that’s his mentality.”
Guldner’s comments offer something rare: a deeply authentic, behind-the-scenes look at a coach long before the spotlight of the Celtic job finds him. They reveal a manager who blends tactical clarity with human connection, and who sees football as a craft, something refined every day on the training pitch. His approach is not merely about systems or structures, but about building an environment where players understand, believe and commit.
For Celtic, that alone is hugely significant. The club has spent much of the last year searching for identity, confidence and unity. Nancy’s philosophy, rooted in joy, initiative and collective spirit, directly addresses the very elements the team has been lacking. His emphasis on emotional connection could help restore the bond between the squad and the supporters, while his meticulous training demands offer a route back to the high-intensity, intelligent football Celtic fans crave.
Orlando, Florida, USA, November 25, 2023, Columbus Crew Head coach Wilfried Nancy at Exploria Stadium. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis/Alamy Live News
Guldner’s reflections also suggest that Nancy would not be overawed by the pressure cooker of Glasgow. His insistence on process over panic, his ability to remain composed, and his comfort working in demanding environments all point towards a coach capable of thriving at a club of Celtic’s scale. His work in Montréal and Columbus shows that he can build and rebuild, teach and adapt, unite and elevate.
If Celtic do appoint Wilfried Nancy, supporters can expect a manager who brings both structure and soul, someone who cares deeply, works relentlessly, and believes in giving fans football that moves them. And based on Antoine Guldner’s remarkable insight, they may be about to welcome a coach whose ideas, personality and passion could transform the club for years to come.
