Former Celtic boss John Barnes admits he “doesn’t like” that bosses like Wilfried Nancy are not given more time in the modern game.
However, he concedes that the Frenchman didn’t have the CV or the results to earn himself more time in Glasgow’s east end. Barnes endured his own struggles at Celtic Park during an ill-fated nine month spell in charge between 1999 and 2000 despite mentor Kenny Dalglish steering him.
That stint feels like a lifetime compared to Nancy’s disastrous eight-game tenure. The 48-year-old arrived from Columbus Crew in December and just 33 days later was shown the door with a record of two wins from eight games.
Nancy lost the Premier Sports Cup final to St Mirren as well as stumbled against league leaders Hearts during his time at Celtic, before the derby defeat to Rangers proved to be the final straw. Speaking exclusively to Record Sport via Covers.com World Cup betting team, Barnes said: “No manager gets the time that they need.
We’ve seen many times new managers being brought in, given the full faith of the club, and then sacked two months later. This is a feature of modern football that I don’t like, but unfortunately, that’s the way things are.
“Of course, Celtic did not give Wilfried Nancy enough time. The problem with joining a big club like Celtic, or any of the big clubs in England, is that if you haven’t got a track record of success you are going to suffer, unless you start well.
“It might be OK if you win your first games and start really well, fans will then place their trust in you.
“But if you don’t, any preconceptions will come to the fore. A manager with a track record will be given more time, but Nancy wasn’t.”
After Nancy’s dismal stint, Dermot Desmond would pick up the phone to Parkhead icon Martin O’Neill – who coincidentally replaced Barnes in the hot seat in 2000 – for a second time this season.
Barnes reckons the Irishman faces a tough task to close the gap on Premiership leaders Hearts – with Rangers moving ahead of their Glasgow rivals into second spot earlier this week.
But he believes the real problem facing the club is the “disharmony” off the pitch between the fans and the board.
The Celtic supporters have demanded change at the top of the club throughout the campaign with chairman Peter Lawwell walking away, while Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale left after his role in Nancy’s appointment.
Barnes said: “I would have expected Celtic to win the league until the disharmony.
“And even with Martin O’Neill coming in on a short-term basis, it’s going to be difficult.
“When a manager comes in on a short-term basis, the players respond to that, they know that the coach may not be with the club long-term.
“I would say Celtic are still favourites, but it’s not clear cut.”