Minutes released from Celtic Fans Collective meeting with Celtic FC

4. Substantive Items

A. Board and Executive

Executive Accountability

The Collective set out the view that Michael Nicholson should not remain as CEO beyond the current season, citing:

• Three major appointments (Tisdale, Nancy, Hargreaves) viewed as detrimental 2 of which have been relieved of their duties.
• Repeated recruitment failings across windows.
• Poor management of managerial transition.
• Growing supporter boycotts and withholding of spending.
• A breakdown of trust and credibility.

BW confirmed he would convey the views expressed but stated he has faith in Michael Nicholson and considers his performance this season acceptable.

JF stated that there was an inherent contradiction in acknowledging significant failures whilst simultaneously describing the CEO’s performance as acceptable. She argued that this position was difficult for supporters to reconcile and risked undermining credibility in the room. BW reiterated that responsibility rests with the Board collectively. Representatives of the Collective noted this position and observed that it raised broader questions regarding individual accountability within executive structure.

The Collective challenged inconsistencies between prior public statements and subsequent events regarding Brendan Rodgers’ resignation. BW confirmed Rodgers resigned and stated the situation had been managed internally.

No commitment was made regarding executive change.

Recruitment Process & Governance
Questions were raised regarding:

• • The recruitment process for Wilfried Nancy.
  • The role of the nominations committee.
  • Why Paul Tisdale was removed shortly before the January window.
  • What lessons had been learned from recent failures.
  • Whether the recruitment model remains fit for purpose.

  BW acknowledged mistakes had been made this season and that Nancy’s appointment was “not good” and circumstances “far from ideal”. However, no specific failings were detailed.

  It was confirmed that the recruitment process is under review. No detail or timeline was provided.

  PQ challenged the club on the process for recruiting Nancy to the Club making note to the club still using the same process’ that it always has and a refusal to modernise and instead often using personal contacts when it comes to recruitment. BW confirmed that the process was the same as it has always been and cited previous successful managerial hires following this process such as Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan. He went on to note that Ange Postecoglou was a successful hire by the board and their recruitment system.

  Members of the Collective expressed the view that Ange’s appointment reflected a recurring reliance on established personal and professional networks, referencing perceived links between the City Group and individuals formerly connected to the Club’s leadership. PQ asked for further clarification about this process to which BW noted that there was a nominations committee who would interview the manager and decide who would be offered the role. When pushed to say who would be involved in this committee BW noted that Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson were involved in the committee.

  The Collective then asked that if the Club did not believe it was the process that was at fault for this appointment, did they then believe it was those individuals currently managing the process at fault. BW said he did not but would not indicate where he believed the fault was in recent recruitment.

  Continues on the next page…

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