Wilfried Nancy gets his reward! Columbus Crew boss handed new contract after 2023 MLS Cup triumph

The club's president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko announced the extension on Wednesday, praising Nancy's "leadership and devotion to entertaining soccer". The exact terms of the extension were not made public.

Announcing the extension, Nancy told the club's official site: “The Columbus Crew is a fantastic club with the Haslam, Johnson and Edwards families, Tim Bezbatchenko, our leadership, coaches, staff and players from the First Team to Crew 2 and the Academy, and it is an honour to be the head coach and sign this contract extension.

“We have a clear vision as a Club of what we want to do and how we can achieve it, and we can continue to write our story and evoke emotions. With humility, I’m very proud of what we have accomplished together during the past year, but most importantly, I am pleased with how we are focused on growing together and working to improve as a team and individuals.”

The Frenchman arrived at Columbus in December 2022 and led his side to third in the Eastern Conference with an attacking style which saw them top scorers in all of MLS. The goals continued to flow in the post-season with the Crew beating Atlanta, Orlando, Cincinnati and LAFC to clinch the franchise's third MLS Cup. A strong start to the current season was enough to convince the club's hierarchy to move to nail down Nancy to an extension.

It may be early season but the big games are already coming thick and fast for Columbus Crew, who have progressed to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. After a weekend fixture against the Portland Timbers The Crew will get their two-legged tie with Inter Miami's conquerors Monterrey underway in Ohio on Wednesday.