Scottish Premiership Sack Race: Who's Next to Face Axe After Wilfried Nancy and Jimmy Thelin?

The 2026 Scottish Premiership sack race has exploded into life, with Celtic's Wilfried Nancy and Aberdeen's Jimmy Thelin among the first high-profile casualties of the new year, highlighting intense pressure on managers amid a fiercely competitive season.[1][2][3]

Wilfried Nancy's Celtic Nightmare

Frenchman Wilfried Nancy holds the unwanted record as Celtic's shortest-serving manager, sacked after just 32-33 days and eight games following a humiliating 3-1 Old Firm defeat to Rangers on January 4.[1][2][3] Replacing Brendan Rodgers after his acrimonious October exit, Nancy suffered six losses, including defeats to league leaders Hearts, a 3-0 Europa League thrashing by Roma, a 3-1 League Cup final loss to St Mirren, and a 2-1 reversal against Dundee United.[1][3] His two wins came against Aberdeen and bottom side Livingston, but his rigid insistence on a 3-4-3 formation alienated fans and disrupted the momentum built by interim boss Martin O'Neill, who had won seven of eight games.[1] Celtic, now six points behind Hearts and level with Rangers, have reinstated O'Neill as interim until season's end. Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale, who championed Nancy's appointment, also departed.[1][3] Betting markets favor O'Neill (7-4) or Shaun Maloney (3-1) for the permanent role, with Ange Postecoglou at 4-1 despite his own brief Forest stint.[2]

Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen Collapse

Swedish boss Jimmy Thelin was axed by Aberdeen on January 4, seven months after masterminding their first Scottish Cup win in 35 years via penalties over Celtic.[1] A 1-0 loss to Falkirk left the Dons eighth, 19 points adrift of Hearts, capping a five-match winless streak (four defeats).[1] Thelin's Pittodrie tenure began sensationally with 13 straight wins—a Scottish record—but this season's disastrous start saw six opening league losses, Aberdeen's worst in 26 years. A brief November-December recovery (eight unbeaten) couldn't save him.[1]

Who's Next in the Firing Line?

With five top-flight managers already sacked in 2026's early days—including Chelsea's Enzo Maresca on January 1—the Premiership's pressure cooker intensifies.[1] Hearts lead, but Celtic and Rangers lurk; pundits warn deeper squad issues at Parkhead demand January reinforcements.[3] Speculation swirls around struggling sides like Dundee United and Motherwell, with fans and boards showing little patience amid the title race and European chases. The sack race is wide open.[1][2][3]

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