Damien Duff

Damien Duffer? Fell for it myself.

 

He had a pot shot at Alan Kelly who recently left as GK coach as well on RTE yesterday. My understanding is he was * about the the whole video nonsense ahead of the England game last year and how any credence was given to the video being in any way an issue.

"I know it's not ideal for the manager but at the same time I guess it's a chance for him to bring in a better coach than me, he has done OK on the goalkeeping side already, he has brought in Dean Kiely, a great guy who will bring a great energy to the side, a top coach who is coaching at the top level in the Premier League every week.

 

Damien Duff is on course to become the new manager of Shelbourne with an announcement expected within the next 24 hours.

The club's Under-17 boss was always the key figure in the process to replace Ian Morris and last Monday Independent.ie reported that the Tolka Park were waiting on an answer from Duff before looking anywhere else.

He initially turned down the job but was asked to reconsider and talks across the weekend have led to Duff accepting the chance to enter senior management although the final details of a deal need to be ironed out before it's officially confirmed.

Before saying yes, the former Ireland international had already started to identify a backroom team with Shamrock Rovers veteran Joey O'Brien lined up as a potential number two.

Duff was previously cool on the idea of managing at League of Ireland level and needed guarantees that Shels would give him the authority and backing to make a success of the role.






He is also conscious of the importance of a first job for a manager in the context of any longer term ambitions.

Chairman Andrew Doyle wants to bring the club back to the top of the tree and last year's recruitment of Alan Caffrey from St Kevin's Boys as Sporting and Technical Director was a significant step.

Duff's appointment would represent a fascinating departure and should be attractive for prospective signings as Shels look to strengthen for their return to the top flight.

Securing O'Brien as part of the ticket would represent a coup.

O'Brien played for Ireland alongside Duff and followed the same path by coming home to Shamrock Rovers.




He has been coaching at underage level with the Hoops and has earmarked as management material by Stephen Bradley.




But O'Brien remains an asset on the pitch with the 35-year-old starting last Friday's win over Finn Harps that secured back to back titles.

 

Certainly seems they are making real efforts to become a factor in the League of Ireland when they return to the top division next season with these steps.

 

They need to, otherwise they'll be next seasons Longford.

 

They certainly did not do well 2 years ago went straight back down but clearly they are determined not to have that happen again.

 

Good to see him doing well

 

Duff when he left as a coach from here is the only time I can think of a coach not being there had such a tangible effect on the team. I’ve seen someone join and there’s a major effect, Lenny under WGS for the 8 game run 3 in a row

Gregory Dupont working with McGeady over the summer and how much fitter he made us as a whole.

Duffs the only one that left and you could see on the pitch it was a blow.

 

Always felt the same.
Even when he came in, you felt the difference he brought as well.

He brought something that just naturally sparked the side, be that professionalism, motivation, his experience down south, not sure. But he just totally had a positive affect and you totally saw the change when he left.


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Probably helped carry that team tbh

 

Damien Duff has sensationally quit as manager of title holders Shelbourne, 24 hours before tomorrow’s visit to Waterford and a fortnight out from their Champions League first round.

His shock resignation follows acerbic comments about his team in the aftermath of Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Derry City when he questioned the preparation and motivation of his players.

It’s understood players were informed of the development at a meeting on Sunday morning.

“The biggest thing to take away was (a lack of) quality, quality, quality, absolutely zero energy, flatness,” said Duff who took over the Reds, newly promoted from the First Division, at the start of the 2022 season for his first standalone senior job.



I don’t accept that that’s our third game in a week. Never have, never will until the day I die.

"If you are an amazing pro you bounce into the night. Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking to.

"Here, I don’t like being the one shouting and screaming on the sideline… "Duffer’s at it again!" That’s the energy that I have.”

He added: "I prepared for the game today like I was a professional footballer. My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind.

"I would like to really, really know how many of my players prepared like me or as well as me, which is damning.

"There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere.

"I've been around football a long, long time and you can have training amazing on a Thursday and be really poor on a Friday. You can have a poor training session on a Thursday and be brilliant on a Friday.

"So it was off the back of two days of not being on the pitch. Played Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday back in Thursday.”

Shels sit sixth in the Premier Division, 15 points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Duff's representatives and Shelbourne FC have been contacted for comment