Why Wilfried Nancy Is The Right Choice

On November 20th, 2019, shock waves were sent across the city of Montreal and MLS. Thierry Henry signed as the Manager of the then Montreal Impact. The reactions were mixed as to his quality as a coach and if it was the right move to bring the club forward. But one thing was unanimous, his hiring would make the club radiate around the globe. 

After a first season filled with unforeseen circumstances, multiple training camps, quarantines and the mid-season departure of arguably their best player, Saphir Taïder, Henry was eventually able to get Montreal into the MLS playoffs for the first time in 3 seasons. Albeit due to an expanded playoff format, but it’s not the why that matters, but the how. They didn’t back up into the knockout round, they were able to pull out a character come from behind victory over D.C. United to grab hold of the last spot. 

Making the playoffs wasn’t his only accomplishment. He helped progress and improve the likes of Amar Sejdic, who became an uncontested starter in the midfield. Zachary Brault-Guillard became one of the best up and coming modern fullbacks in the MLS.  But what rang the strongest was that he got the most out of Romell Quioto, who had a career year tallying 10 goals and 7 assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. When Quioto is at his best, he proved that he can be a difference maker in MLS. 

As the 2021 season approached things weren’t getting any better. Henry had come back to Montreal early to prepare the season and help with the roster build/massive turnover. Soon after his arrival it became apparent that Montreal would have to, at the very least, spend the first few months of the season away from home. Because of the stress this would cause and the fact that his family would not be able to join him (a family that he was away from for over 11 months) it would have been too much for him and his family to bear. So, on February 25, less than 2 weeks away from the start of training camp, Thierry Henry stepped down as head coach of the Montreal franchise now known as CF Montreal.

The question was now, would Sporting Director Oliver Renard opt to hire one of his European contacts or would he promote from in house. While this was being decided, Wilfred Nancy took over the club on a then temporary basis to get training camp started. On March 8, to the delight of players, media, and fans he was officially named as the 8th head coach in the MLS history of Impact Montréal FC / CF Montréal.

Will, as people around the club call him, has been a part of the organization since 2011. First working with the Academy at all age groups. He then moved to the senior team as an assistant under Mauro Biello. Continued with Remi Gard, Wilmer Cabrera and most recently with Thierry Henry. All that was missing to his resume was head coach position at the senior level. 

Nancy knows the club like almost no one else. He knows the culture, philosophy of the club, and had a big tactical hand in the system and style of play Montreal tried to implement last year. Even though there is a new manager in charge, Nancy will be able to move forward with the project that had already started to take shape last year. 

He is also known as someone who is great with young players and Montreal has the youngest average aged roster in the league. Nancy also said in his press conference that it is easier to get younger players to buy in and learn instead of trying to reshape a player, which will be key to the team’s success or lack thereof this year.

Lastly, the club will be away from the city, media, and critics. He will have a relatively calm environment as the club is set to settle in Fort Lauderdale for at least the first couple of months of the 2021 season. 

The 2021 season will once again be a very difficult season for all teams, especially the Canadian franchises. For Montreal, in a season that will be filled with uncertainty and adversity, Wilfried Nancy was the only logical choice. Let’s hope that his appointment is the start of stability at the head coaching position for CF Montreal, something that they have never had.