Columbus Crew’s Wilfred Nancy understands that being a black coach in MLS is about more than just winning

“Do you understand the unexpected? That’s the way it was for me,” says Wilfried Nancy, leaning forward as we sit on the Goat Tree Cafe in Santa Barbara, California, on a sunny day.

The Columbus Crew head coach’s journey is punctuated by firsts. Of eight Black coaches in the 29-year history of MLS, Nancy is the primary to win the MLS Cup. Often it is an orchestrated fate, a hand-picked circumstance, a celestial alignment to be “first,” and Nancy, having knocked the door off its hinges in December 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, stands high in the doorway, leading the trail for others.

I nod and say to myself, “Yes, I do know that word ‘unexpectedly.’

Nancy’s way of pondering might be aptly described as follows: the past is prologue. “I’m a present-moment guy. For me, the past is something that helps me construct the long run,” said the 46-year-old. “Yes, I have a clear vision of who I want to become as a person and also as a coach. But I can only control the present moments. That’s why I learned to live in the present moment and be myself.”

Known in league circles for his ability to adapt tactics based on his teams’ strengths, he creates game plans that are each dynamic and effective.

“My code is: be yourself, because everyone else is already taken,” he said.

Columbus Crew co-owner Dee Haslam, who leads essentially the most diverse front office and technical staff in the MLS league and is the primary woman to win the MLS Cup twice, is not surprised by Nancy’s success.

“Well, I tell you, we go through a pretty intense process when we’re selecting coaches, we talk to a lot of people who know him from all sides,” Haslam said. “We knew he was an incredible leader, a great communicator and a really, really good person who exuded passion and enthusiasm for the sport.”

Nancy said, “When I came upon Columbus wanted me, yes, I had one other offer. The people I work with are really essential. Is there a connection to my vision and organization? And for me, as I sat with them, a lot of the values ​​that we share are the identical.

None of that is lost on crew captain and four-time MLS Cup champion Darlington Nagbe, who is entering his 14th season in MLS.

“You always look around the league and see how few black coaches there are,” Nagbe said. “I feel like when Wilfried came here it was just a great opportunity, at the right club, with the right players, you know?”

Robin Fraser, the 2021 MLS Coach of the Year runner-up who led the Colorado Rapids to the Western Conference regular season title, said: “A club that supports, senior management that supports, Haslams and when you add all the right ingredients together and then you will get the same results as them.”

Senior management is led by President and CEO Tim Bezbatchenko.

“You definitely need to make sacrifices for the nice of the entire, the club or the team. But it’s amazing when the whole lot comes together like last yr,” Bezbatchenko said. “The pay is great.”

As “Bez” and I sit in crew training in the course of the final week of preseason on the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, he expresses his gratitude for the chance to do what he loves. “We are in a fortunate situation,” he said. “The attitude is, let’s do something really meaningful. Let’s be brave, let’s be brave.”

Nancy’s story is not just about achievements on the sector, however the essence of a coach whose journey can leave a mark on the craft.

“How do I communicate my why? My reasons are clear, but I need to convince you that it’s not for me, but because you believe it’s good for you,” Nancy said about how she communicates with players. “So broadcasting is about understanding people. This is the most important nuance.”

Nancy focuses his gaze. “You need empathy. And when you do not feel comfortable with that, you are in trouble. My job is to not win because I do know I actually have to win. However, I would like to develop some tools so that players can assist them, and I treat it as teaching and as a every day job. I actually imagine in sensitivity. Sometimes as a coach you’ve gotten to be vulnerable as a human being.

We talk, exchanging thoughts, ideas and principles, from his insight into the sport as a former center back, to training drills that provide three or 4 solutions.

Nagbe who is the very best player in the world holding the ball under pressure, said: “Coach really wants the guys, not just me but a group of guys, to take control and help shape the identity of the team,” he said.

I would like to be myself and take a look at to win the best way I would like. Yes, I would like to encourage people. To encourage people, you’ve gotten to think outside the box,” said Nancy.

Nagbe said: “Obviously he has orchestrated the best way he wants us to play, but he wants us to steer the culture, lead the dressing room and lead that way. I would like all these people to take control and take responsibility for what we are attempting to do.

“Even if we try something, if we expect something, if we try it, we’ll do it. It doesn’t work, don’t mind throwing it away. He’s not too happy with it. He’s blissful that we tried it, it’s a process and he’s blissful that we took ownership and tried something different.

Nancy, like many black coaches who worked tirelessly under the radar, lit up the whole coaching community.

“I was happy when he got the job,” Fraser said. “Obviously he did exceptionally well. I all the time thought he was a really classy guy, the best way he handled himself. My first thought was that I used to be very blissful for him. And my second thought was: f…! I used to be presupposed to be the primary. I absolutely appreciate the importance.

“Last yr I went to Columbus and we exchanged texts and congratulatory letters and stuff like that over time. I do not know Wilfried’s wife in any respect, but he told me that she told him to say hello and phone me. We really felt that there weren’t a lot of us and that we must always maintain one another.

Sometimes essentially the most inspiring people do not understand that they encourage other people. But Nancy understands the duty.

“For me, trophies and stuff are not the most important thing,” Nancy said. “There is something more important than a trophy. Yes, I want to be inspired again by great humility, but I also want to convince people that we can do a lot.”