The popular US host was unaware of the Frenchman’s doomed 33-day stint in Glasgow’s East End

21:30, 07 Jan 2026Updated 23:23, 07 Jan 2026

Pat McAftee and NFL legend J.J Watt

Charismatic US sports presenter Pat McAfee was left with egg on his face after a pitch to get sacked Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy a top Premier League job miserably failed.

The Hoops sent the Frenchman packing earlier this week following a dismal run of just two wins in eight matches in all competitions, with the champions now trailing Premiership leaders Hearts by six points. Parkhead legend Martin O’Neill has been brought back in as interim boss for the remainder of the season, just weeks after stepping aside for Nancy.

But with NFL legend and minority Burnley investor J.J Watt present during a live recording of the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, the sports host and analyst took the opportunity to suggest to the Houston Texans hero that Nancy could succeed Scott Parker at Turf Moor if a change is made in the dugout.

Parker led the Clartets back into the Premier League by finishing as runner’s up in the Championship last season but is under pressure to stay in his post with his side six points adrift from safety after 21 matches. And not only was McAfee unaware of Nancy’s short tenure, but he also hilariously mispronounced Celtic when stating his case.

He said: “If you are thinking about a new coach though, I got a guy. He was the Columbus Crew coach, then he goes over to Scotland and Shelltic (Celtic), is this not accurate? An MLS coach that got called to and coach elsewhere.

However, McAtee was then left aghast when his more informed colleagues then pointed out the details of Nancy’s miserable 33 days at the helm.. But the analyst hit back, suggesting there isn’t much to separate the flop’s dismal record with the results picked up by Scott Parker’s Burnley so far this season, shouting: “He won two out of eight?! They (Burnley) have three wins, three draws and 14 losses!

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One of the other panel members then poked fun at McAfee’s expense, adding: “I was expecting something wildly different when I heard that over there and thought ‘oh we’ve maybe got a guy for Burnley’. I was expecting the heir apparent to Pele, not some guy who was the MLS Coach of the Year, got the call-up to the big leagues and then they found out quick, ‘this guy is sucks’ and fired him. And you want J.J to hire him?!

McAfee shared footage of the exchange on X, writing: “We’re just trying to help Burnley @JJWatt”.

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