The expressive Frenchman – a one-time professional footballer now coaching the Columbus Crew – stood beaming on the pitch at Lower.com Field, basking in the overwhelming joy of his team’s Major League Soccer championship. On that night in late 2023, in his first year with the Crew, Wilfried Nancy had just become the first Black coach to win an MLS Cup. And he did it by orchestrating a style of soccer that many consider the most interesting soccer being played in North America – a delicate balance of patience, freedom and moments of explosive action. “Impossible,” Nancy declared, “is an opinion.” The quote was on a T-shirt within days, and suddenly, the secret was out: Nancy is not just a coach but also a philosopher. The native of Le Havre, France, now lives in Dublin, Ohio, with his wife and two children. In conversation, one senses a person who has spent a lot of time thinking about how to establish an environment for total success – not just on the pitch in a given game, but across a career and even a life.

What lights you up?  

I would say to write my own story in this infinite game.

What frustrates you?  

When people complain about something that they cannot control. Sometimes, you know, people get emotional, and they waste a lot of time being emotional instead of trying to move forward. I’m not saying moving forward is easy. My job is to help the players realize that it doesn’t help to complain about the things you cannot change or control. Adjust yourself. Move forward.

What makes you laugh?  

It’s spontaneous things that make me laugh, so I never know what it will be. In the past, I didn’t want to show my emotions. I didn’t want to laugh even in good moments, and I didn’t want to cry. But thanks to my wife and kids, I’ve learned to accept these kinds of emotions, because it allows me to be true to what’s happening.

What professional mission are you on?  

For me, it’s really important to be aligned with my values. So, my vision is not to win games or anything. It is more to achieve what I want to achieve by being myself. The vision is to win in a certain way, because I believe that the way we play can also inspire my players to become better people.

Why is human connection so important in your work?  

It is key. Before I started coaching, I thought that if I’m good tactically, everything will be OK. No. To be a good coach, you have to understand people. My job is to understand what you can do and how I can take your expertise and use it. All players – all people – want to do well. If you choose the right people, they will do well if you give them autonomy – if you give them freedom within the structure.

What is a memorable moment from your childhood?

Throughout my youth, my father was in the French Navy, so I traveled a lot. One year in one place, two years in another. I’m grateful to my parents, because I had that luxury. It allows me to understand more people and to be more open and to have more empathy.

What professional work are you passionate about?  

First, I have a clear way I want us to play: Be brave. Be bold. Play with joy. Create a story and feelings for the crowd and each other. Second, know myself. In my job, everybody has an opinion. So I have to be strong and clear with ideas. I close my eyes sometimes and open them when needed.

“I believe that the way we play can also inspire my players to become better people.”

Wilfried Nancy

Who do you love to learn from? 

Everyone. Because of my background, I have friends who spent time in jail and friends who are presidents of countries. I learn from everyone.

What have you come to love about Ohio?  

This is exactly what I like. Columbus is a peaceful city for my family. In Dublin, where I live, it is green everywhere. The traffic is easy. The people are so kind – and respectful of my privacy. We have all kinds of diversity. I went to the Pro Musica Columbus concert with Jon Batiste. I loved it for the creativity, and I was happy to see all kinds of people in the theater. My kids are in a French immersion school, which they love. I’m really, really happy to be here.

What are you certain is true?  

Nonverbal communication is really important.

What single mission would you mobilize people around if you could?

Try to be less selfish. The ego is normal, we need our ego to achieve something. But as soon as we put our egos on the side, we become able to achieve many things.

How do you make a team out of a group of people from such disparate backgrounds all over the world?

I try to create a safe environment. I encourage them to be true to who they are as a person. We have Muslim players. We have players who don’t like to eat certain things. We have players who, in their culture, have to do certain things. So the idea is to have a clear vision as a team, but within that, to create a space where individuals can be themselves. The first thing I do every year is a meeting where we talk about core values. I advise each player: Compete with yourself, not against anybody. Compete with yourself to become a better me all the time. And have joy. Without joy, we cannot compete.

If people defined you with one word, what do you hope it would be?  

Wise.