Columbus Crew Seek Tactical Refresh After Losing Edge Under Former Coach

Defender Max Arfsten reveals team struggled with excessive sideways passing under Wilfried Nancy, who later failed at Celtic

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten has expressed that the team lost its competitive edge under former coach Wilfried Nancy, whose possession-focused tactics lacked penetration. With Nancy now out, the Crew are undergoing a tactical refresh under new manager Henrik Rydstrom to restore their attacking intent and effectiveness.

Why it matters

The Columbus Crew's struggles highlight how a shift in coaching philosophy can significantly impact a team's performance. Arfsten's insights show that possession alone is insufficient without purposeful attacking play, while Nancy's failed stint at Celtic serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges coaches face when moving to unfamiliar leagues.

The details

Arfsten explained that under Nancy, the Crew would often go "side to side too much" with the ball without being "as threatening as we'd like." This tendency toward lateral and backward passing without generating meaningful chances made it difficult for the Crew to sustain offensive pressure. The new Crew leadership, led by manager Henrik Rydstrom, plans tactical adjustments aimed at improving the team's efficiency and attacking intent to address the stagnation caused by excessive sideways play and a lack of clear purpose when in possession.

  • In 2026, Wilfried Nancy was appointed as Celtic's head coach but lasted only 33 days, securing just two wins in eight matches.
  • Prior to his struggles at Celtic, Nancy's work in MLS had earned him praise from experts, who predicted Celtic would embrace his coaching style.

The players

Max Arfsten

A key defender for the Columbus Crew who has expressed the team lost its sharpness under former coach Wilfried Nancy.

Wilfried Nancy

The former Columbus Crew coach who was later appointed as Celtic's head coach but lasted only 33 days, securing just two wins in eight matches.

Henrik Rydstrom

The new manager of the Columbus Crew who plans tactical adjustments aimed at improving the team's efficiency and attacking intent.

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What they’re saying

“I think last year there was a lot of times when we'd have the ball the majority of the game. And sometimes we'd go side to side too much or maybe not be as threatening as we'd like.”

— Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew defender (theconwaybulletin.com)

“So I definitely think there's an element of we can attack quicker when we have the ball and have more of a purpose with the ball.”

— Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew defender (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

The Columbus Crew's tactical refresh under new manager Henrik Rydstrom is now underway as the team seeks to regain its competitive advantage following Wilfried Nancy's departure.

The takeaway

The Columbus Crew's struggles highlight the importance of balancing possession with purposeful attacking play. The team's tactical refresh under new leadership aims to restore their former competitiveness, while Wilfried Nancy's failed stint at Celtic serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges coaches face when moving to unfamiliar leagues.