Nicholson turns to the media in a desperate attempt to save his job at Celtic, claiming he saved the day by calling for Nancy to be sacked…
Eric Knott 
(Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
You couldn’t make this up, you really couldn’t. Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson is now being hailed as the hero who called for the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.
Painting Nicholson as the architect of Nancy’s downfall is akin to closing the gate after the horse has bolted.
The horse bolted at Hampden after the League Cup final.
Nicholson supposedly decided to close the gate three games later.
To suggest that he was the driving force for change at Celtic is laughable.
Does anybody out there think that this hilarious suggestion wasn’t strategically fed to the club’s media partners?
Oh, he was a driving force alright, a driving force behind the attempt to save his own ass.
But it’s too little, too late.
As I said, the horse had already bolted.
Journalist Mark Guidi was quoted as saying in the Record this morning:
I believe that Michael Nicholson – the Celtic chief executive who’s had a lot of criticism, a lot of abuse – I believe that Michael was the driving force for change in the past 48 hours in terms of going to Dermot Desmond and saying, ‘We need to do something. This cannot go on’. So Michael Nicholson, I think, deserves credit where it’s due for putting that on.
Nicholson deserves no credit whatsoever when it comes to this debacle.
And the reason he deserves no credit is because he is the man who signed off on Nancy taking the job.
And he is the man who fully endorsed the Frenchman as their no.1 candidate.
Below is a subtle reminder of what he said upon Nancy’s arrival at the club.
We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time – he was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new Manager and we are delighted that he as agreed to join the club.
I know he is hugely excited about this opportunity to be part of Celtic’s future. We will give Wilfried every support to face the challenges ahead, with our aim as always being to deliver the success for the club which our supporters deserve, this season and beyond.
That there, is Michael Nicholson’s obituary.
When he eventually leaves his post at Celtic, which he will, he will only be remembered for that ill-fated endorsement.
To say that he was the driving force behind Nancy’s removal is comical.
When Mark Guidi says he went to Dermot Desmond and said, “We need to do something. This cannot go on.” Well?
That literally translates into:
“Okay Dermot, I’m holding my hands up. I fucked up royally on this one. What do you need me to do?“
“Get rid of him, and that asinine snake oil salesman to boot, and you’re lucky you’re not following them immediately as well. I’m going to need to think long and hard about the future of this board, so you’re not out of the woods either!“
There is a rumour circulating that by game four of Nancy’s disastrous tenure, Desmond decided to call an outside consultancy firm to do a forensic deep dive into operations at Celtic.
Since he is so detached from the club, he needed some real professionals to find out exactly what was going on at Celtic Park.
Apparently, he wasn’t very impressed with boardroom machinations.
Not even the since retired Consigliere came out of this deep dive looking well.
This would indicate that the writing may now be on the wall for Silent Mike and friends.
It may only be a matter of time, as the absentee landlord searches out new talent for the Celtic boardroom.
Could it be that the Wilfried Nancy debacle was one shitshow too many in a litany of shitshows?
The visit of former Leicester City CEO, Susan Whelan, during Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge last October might be more significant than we think.
But make no mistake, NIcholson is obviously desperate to hold onto his position.
Stories like today’s only make him look weaker than ever.
If he was a strong CEO who went with the courage of his convictions, he would have pulled the plug on Wilfried Nancy after the Dundee United defeat.
The fact that Dermot Desmond had to step in and take control shows that Nicholson does not call the shots.
He is now like a plastic bag, blowing aimlessly in the wind, without the Consigliere to give him guidance.
And for those of you out there who keep asking the same question over, and over again, you now have the answer.
You know?
This one?
So if you manage to get rid of them, who are you going to get to replace them?
Dermot Desmond has already set the wheels in motion.
He has already called in a consultancy firm to do a deep dive on the current board.
He’s not impressed with what they’ve found so far.
When they have concluded their deep dive, there’s a good chance he might use said consultancy firm to commence the recruitment process of a new board.
Because that’s how these things work.
As for “proactive CEO” Michael Nicholson “driving the sacking” of Wilfried Nancy?
I think a career in “Sports Law” might be looming again in the near future.
To put that into context, I had a friend who absolutely hated the American vocal and instrumental duo, The Carpenters.
Could not stand them.
Any time he ever heard their music coming on, he used to say, “Oh Christ, not the fucking Carpenters again, they’d have done well to stick to the carpenting (a Kerry term) , ’cause they sure as shit can’t sing!”
As for Michael Nicholson?
He’d have done well to stick to the Sports Lawyering, ’cause he sure as shit can’t run a football club!
Resignation incoming?
Watch this space….
Key Takeaways
- Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson is under scrutiny for the sacking of Wilfried Nancy, but his role in the decision appears questionable.
- Nicholson initially endorsed Nancy’s appointment, which raises doubts about his credibility as a driving force for change.
- Dermot Desmond is allegedly seeking outside consultancy to evaluate the club’s board, indicating potential changes ahead.
- Nicholson’s inability to act decisively suggests he lacks control and may face consequences for the Nancy situation.
- Speculation about Nicholson’s resignation looms, as he struggles to maintain his position amid mounting criticism.
We can only hope nicholson etc follows Nancy out the door and soon. I first read about the consultants on Phils pages
Good article Eric.
2 things about Nicholson:
1. No-one believes he makes any decisions of any consequence at the Club
2. In the event that he does make those key decisions, he doesn’t get any credit for partially putting out a fire he started in the first place
Context: He’s been sitting silent in his ivory tower using media lackeys and others to abuse, vilify and otherwise attack fans for daring to ask pertinent questions, seek accountability and encourage the club to show ambition, among other things.
He now uses those same lackeys to try to paint himself as some sort of saviour!! Incredible, but straight out the Lawwell playbook.
Has shown zero leadership and was a clone of the fat controller – who has not gone btw – and puppet for said fat controller and DD. This has been our problem for decades: controlled/run by a few with zero accountability. In any business – never mind a PLC – he would be gone.
Nicholson trying to teach an eel how to wriggle, he’s more slimy right enough, how the fk he gets 800k a year is astounding given it seems he couldn’t find his arse with 2 pairs of hands, absolutely baffling DD hasn’t got shot of him already.
Get rid of Desmond Trump will be the first step to recovery
Good article, Eric. Also enjoy your Trinity Tims pod, with James and “only happy when he’s no happy” Joe.. haha ( but he’s generally right )
Nicholson is useless, but he’s getting very well paid by our money.. to be just that. It defies logic and understanding how he has survived.. he must be next to get bagged.. and we all have to demand he is.. it is very clear the annoying fans are the ones driving standards at our club. I look forward to hearing what Wilson is told, to respond to the Collective’s open letter.. Regardless, no let up, Celtic is the fans, to paraphrase the Maestro, ” they ( the fans ) are the club, without them, there is no club ”
Never forget that.
Keep fighting for what is ours.
The ultimate aim has to be for the supporters to buy as many as Desmond’s shares as possible. Imo the most effective vehicle for that to happen is through David Low’s organisation, Celtic Supporters Limited. The supporters raised £14m back in 1995, and we can do what it takes now..
One thing is certain.. if we do nothing, nothing will change.
Hail Hail
Heard from 2 different people now. Recent investors meeting no one from the board turned up but apparently, I expect in the same vein as MN telling everyone that he went to The Irish Dictator ( was Daddy Lawwell not available?) it was mentioned at that meeting that Dictator Desmond met with Brendan Rodgers and offered a 3 year contract ( and here’s the best bit!) a £60m Transfer fund! And BR said he’d think about it and get back to DD. Seemed to be the planted narrative at the Investors meeting. Would love to know who from the club had been saying it. And who to to get it out there? Surprised it hasn’t been fed to CQN 😁
Exactly Eric. The ceo is a figurehead at present; he did the bidding of his mentor but he’s gone now, so, as you say, he’s an empty poke(bag). It would make sense though if the reason he clung on was because either DD tells him the game is up by summer or he’s already working towards that and perhaps the former Leicester ceo can be appointed, with a new exec team. If she did come in, the first thing she’d do is punt the other deadwood on the board.
That would make sense too, the detachment of Desmond. I didn’t even get angry at his son’s daft speech; a guy who’s never had to really graft and probably detached from the reality of life for the majority. And also because I think it would be very difficult to shift them. It would make sense to have a good exec team running things; Desmond would be happy getting his balance sheet each year and having zilch to do with us. But he’ll go in time because his son doesn’t seem to have the business nous of his dad. Although questionable now after he was duped grima wormtongue tisdale.
Brilliant having Martin back; Shaun and Fozzy are ideal for the day to day stuff, the players will love working with them again. And yeah, if they deliver the title, WOW HH
I should add, DD could be shifted, it’s just that it’ll take time and constant effort, buying shares across a broad group of folk that can but it will also take time, maybe a few years. HH
If DD has finally woken up do we perhaps get the best of both worlds?
A new CEO and chairman,board backed up by a billionaire who will surely keep a closer eye than he has been doing.
On the staff front I wouldn’t have Stephen McManus or Strachan near the place as I’m not convinced about those two.
Maybe time to bring in Petrov who has a great relationship with MON and someone with a European pedigree.
Probably one of the best pieces I’ve read on the subject to date. 95% of the Celtic based media are happy clappers purely looking for likes, but you nail it warts and all. Keep digging, keep keeping us informed.
I agree with most of what you say except part about the old Golf fanatic .. he has enabled this whole mess and shown he has no interest in progressing our club, in fact he has held us back.. and worst of all he treats the supporters with utter contempt..unforgivable.. Although he is only the largest minority shareholder he has treated our club like he owns it…He doesn’t. It has to be our ultimate aim to buy at least some of his shares.. we raised £14m in 1995..we can do what it takes to redress the balance. Celtic is the fans and always will be..
Hail Hail
At 750 grand a year Silent Mike is going to have to be dragged screaming from the place Eric.He will be living a 750 grand lifestyle,and if he has to move out and take a 650 grand hit by working somewhere else for 100 (if he’s lucky),it’s no wonder he’s resorting to desperado measures.
Who else would employ the useless prick?