Well, Columbus Crew fans… this wasn’t on our offseason bingo card.
After three wildly successful seasons in black and gold, head coach Wilfried Nancy is reportedly heading to Scotland to take the reins at Celtic FC. Yes, that Celtic — one of the most storied clubs in the world.
Nancy’s departure stings, and not just because of the timing. Since arriving in 2022, he’s been nothing short of transformational. Under his leadership, the Crew won the 2023 MLS Cup, the 2024 Leagues Cup, and made a dramatic run to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
Add an MLS Coach of the Year award and a possession-heavy style that turned matches into pure entertainment, and you’ve got one of the most beloved coaches in team history.
This season didn’t finish the way fans hoped.
Columbus bowed out early to FC Cincinnati for the second year in a row, but Nancy still delivered a winning regular season and one of the most cohesive squads in the league. It’s no wonder a global giant came knocking.
Now the Crew face a tight turnaround. The 2026 season kicks off February 21, and the club suddenly has a huge vacancy to fill. Oh, and while they’re at it, they also need to finalize a new stadium name after the Lower.com deal lapsed. No pressure!
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Columbus has built a reputation as a top destination for players and coaches alike, and ownership has rarely been shy about investing in big moves. Still, losing a coach of Nancy’s caliber is never simple, especially when the league is about to shift to a new July-to-May schedule the following year.
For now, Crew fans can take solace in this: Nancy didn’t just win trophies here.
He helped reshape the culture of the club, and he leaves the roster stacked with talent. Next season might look different, but the foundation he built isn’t going anywhere.
And now, the search for a new coach begins.
