Auston Trusty has opened up on the brief and turbulent tenure of Wilfried Nancy at Celtic, admitting he had hoped to see the Frenchman succeed both professionally and personally.
Nancy’s time in Glasgow unravelled almost as quickly as it began. Recommended by Paul Tisdale after earning widespread praise for his work with Columbus Crew in MLS, the 49 year-old arrived with a reputation for progressive, attractive football.
However, sweeping tactical alterations coincided with an immediate collapse in form, and the coaching team lasted only 33 days before being dismissed.
Looking back on the period five months later, Trusty admitted he had been especially keen to see Nancy thrive as one of the few coaches of colour operating at the top level of the game.
Speaking to The Athletic, the Celtic defender said: “I was rooting for him. I’d heard good things from guys who played for him.
“I also really wanted to see a person of colour excel in a predominantly white coaching environment.
“People of colour are still dealing with an imperfect situation. So, for him coming into that world — not Celtic, but soccer in general — you want him to succeed and create opportunities for others in the future.
“That’s always in my mind: in the States, my dad grew up in a still-segregated country. I heard the stories growing up, still do, and my brain still goes to that.”
“Wilfried came in during a tough, hectic time,” he added. “We had a first-place game, a cup final and a Europa League game all in one week.
“He’s a really nice guy, so I texted him when he left. I’m sure he was very emotional.”
Conor Spence
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