Chelsea legend quits as boss of side on brink of Champions League qualification
Damien Duff led Shelbourne to the League of Ireland title last year but the former Chelsea star has made the decision to resign shortly before their Champions League qualifiers next month
Former Chelsea star Damien Duff has sensationally quit as boss of Shelbourne, denying himself the chance to manage in the Champions League. Duff, 46, guided Shels to the League of Ireland title last year, as they lifted the trophy for the first time in 18 years.
But after 22 games this season, Shelbourne find themselves 15 points adrift of current leaders Shamrock Rovers. Despite their struggles, Duff had been due to lead them into the Champions League qualifiers next month.
Shelbourne were recently drawn to face Northern Irish champions Linfield in the first round of qualifying for Europe's elite competition, with the two legs to be played on July 9 and 16. But Friday's 1-0 loss at home to Derry City - their sixth defeat of the season, after which he compared his side to a 'pub team' - has spelled the end for the ex-Fulham winger.
"Shelbourne FC regretfully wishes to announce the departure of Damien Duff as first team manager," a statement published on Sunday afternoon read. "Damien informed the club this morning that, after much thought, he has made the decision to resign. He shared the news with the players earlier today.
"While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time."
Having taken over in November 2021, Duff enjoyed 'four extraordinary years' at Tolka Park. During his first campaign, Shelbourne reached the FAI Cup final before finishing fourth the next year.
In 2024, Duff's side clinched the league title on a dramatic final day. The 46-year-old's success with Shels prompted speculation that he could become Republic of Ireland manager during their long search for a permanent boss while he also said in January that he'd rebuffed interest from a 'big club' in England.
But Duff has chosen to resign, having given a scathing review of his team's performance against Derry. "This (the League of Ireland) is your bread and butter. They (Shelbourne's players) are in Europe, in the Champions League, because of the league," the 100-time Ireland international fumed.
Which club should appoint Damien Duff? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
"I asked them before the game, I said it's 18 days until the Champions League, and I said if they'd have a Champions League mentality, motivation, energy here. I'd say pub teams have better motivation, energy, quality than us. Damning words, but I'm correct in saying them."
Former West Ham defender Joey O'Brien has been installed as interim manager for Monday's trip to Waterford. Shelbourne co-owner Neil Doyle commented on Duff's departure, saying: "There are no words that do justice to Damien's accomplishments at Shelbourne FC and what he has done for both the club and the League of Ireland.
"We look back with immense pride on his time here. As a club, we move forward with confidence, knowing that the foundations we have jointly built will underpin our continued success. Thank you, Damien, for everything."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Pep Guardiola warns he will swing the axe to trim Man City squad with 17 stars' futures in doubt
One City star is desperate to stay for a tenth season ETIHAD EXIT Pep Guardiola warns he will swing the axe to trim Man City squad with 17 stars' futures in doubt Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PEP GUARDIOLA has warned he will have to swing the axe to trim his Manchester City squad. England trio Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were left at home when City boss Guardiola named a 27-man squad for the Club World Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Pep Guardiola is ready for a summer overhaul at Man City Credit: Getty 3 Jack Grealish, out of favour under Pep, is being targeted by Napoli Credit: Alamy 3 Defender John Stones wants to stay and battle for a place next season Credit: Getty And midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is the latest star to be linked with a move away from the Etihad with Galatasaray interested and Guardiola is keen to work with a smaller group of players. Guardiola said: 'With Ilkay, no news is good news. I don't know anything and I didn't speak with him. 'But at the same time we have — right now — a long squad, too many players. We cannot go with 26, 27 players this season because there would be more not playing. 'Step by step maybe a few players are going to move.' Guardiola says his squad is currently too large - despite the demands of competing for the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The Etihad chief has brought in seven new faces during the calendar year ... and now has more than THIRTY outfield men. So several will either be sent out on loan or sold before the transfer window closes at the end of August. Guardiola admits it will be agonising to show the door to some players he would rather keep with him - but feels he must be fair to those who would rarely feature. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The Spaniard, 54, added: 'I would love to have the players that we have now all season. I would love it. 'I don't have any complaints about the players, how they behave. Kyle Walker seals Everton deal & Grealish to Napoli, Newcastle & Spurs STILL ON | Transfers Exposed 'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season. 'They will be sad, they will be disappointed. I don't want that. 'For me it's not a problem. I have more selection and I don't like six, seven players, just in case, no injuries, being at home. 'So I do it that way. I do that for them. That's why we have to see what happens. We still have a long time, I would say, until the transfer window will be closed. We'll see what happens step by step.' Promising midfielder James McAtee, 22, is likely to leave after deciding to go to the Euros with England Under-21s rather than join City in the USA. There is a question mark over the future of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, although he is out injured for the next couple of months. Who stays and who goes at Man City? AFTER a disappointing 2024-25 season, Pep Guardiola is overhauling his Manchester City squad. SunSport's MARTIN BLACKBURN analyses the state of play at the Etihad . . . INS Newcomers Tijjani Reijnders from Milan, Rayan Cherki from Lyon, Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri and former Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli bolster the squad. The likes of Stefan Ortega, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and a fit-again Rodri are staying as they bid to improve on last year's below-par campaign. OUTS Loyal servant Kyle Walker, 35, looks to have kicked his last ball for City. Jack Grealish is also on the move from the Etihad, with Napoli the frontrunners for the wideman — who cost Pep's side £100million in 2021. Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee and Maximo Perrone are also heading for the exit door. MAYBES The futures of keeper Ederson, John Stones, Rico Lewis, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O'Reilly, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Nico Gonzalez, Matheus Nunes, Claudio Echeverri and Oscar Bobb are not yet set in stone. Most will be kept but some will go — either permanently or on loan — to free up space in the squad. Defender John Stones had a disastrous season — missing 34 games due to injuries — and is heading into the final year of his contract. He has been linked with a return to his old club Everton - and a sizeable offer may tempt City to cash in. But the 31-year-old is determined to see out the next 12 months and complete a decade at the Etihad rather than look for a new challenge. Asked if he has heard anything from the club about a new deal, Stones said: 'Nothing really, But I'm here and I want to stay here. 'I love it. I'm here to help the team. I don't know what's been said or speculated, but I hope that shuts it down.' Yenan Yildiz struck twice as City's final Group G opponents Juventus beat Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca 4-1 at the Club World Cup. Striker Yildiz had earlier forced defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil to turn the ball into his own net for the opener, while Dusan Vlahovic's penalty wrapped up the Italian giants' win.
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Cool heads required for Derry City to make it a Dublin double with victory over St Pat's, insists boss Tiernan Lynch
The Candystripes ended a run of four without a win by beating champions Shelbourne 1-0 at Tolka Park on Friday courtesy of another wonder goal from top scorer Michael Duffy. But they are back on the road immediately as they head to Inchicore where they lost 2-0 in March – a night when they conceded two penalties and had midfielder Carl Winchester sent off. Having laid to rest the demons of Tolka where he lost his first game in charge back in February, the City boss is now hoping to settle the score against Stephen Kenny's side. 'I think the big thing in this League is always remaining calm and not getting too carried away with the highs and not getting too low with the lows,' he commented. 'As we've said all along, we just need to find a little bit of consistency, which isn't too easy in this League because there are so many good teams. 'We have a massive week ahead of us, but it's just one game at a time for us. 'We have now ticked one game off and I couldn't be prouder of the players, but we have to go and do the same on Monday.' The impact of Friday's display is not lost on Lynch, who understands the importance of momentum in a very difficult Premier Division. 'I think it was probably two completely different sides of the team,' he explained. 'In the first-half, I thought we were superb. It was probably our best footballing performance of the season. 'We were brave, we moved the ball, we got on it, and probably the one thing we were disappointed with was that we didn't create more chances from our dominance. 'In the second-half after we scored, I thought we showed a different side of us. We got compact, rolled our sleeves up, put our heads where it hurt and showed what it meant for us to wear that shirt. I couldn't be prouder of them.' Sadou Diallo returned to the starting line-up on Friday for the first time in three months and is certain to be in consideration again following a commanding role in midfield. The 26-year-old has missed a huge chunk of the 2025 season already after suffering a broken arm at Sligo Rovers and seems eager to make up for lost time. 'I thought he was absolutely outstanding,' Lynch declared. 'He got on the ball, he was brave, he made us play, he kept his calm and he kept us ticking over. 'He didn't want to come off, and that's probably a good sign.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Naismith on Rangers' 'hostile' UCL trip and key Martin aim
A trip to face the Athens-based side was one of Naismith's most memorable as a Rangers player for all the right and wrong reasons. "That was one of the most hostile places ever," he said. "It was on the run to the UEFA Cup Final. I remember, even from the warm-up, Gate 13, where the tunnel is. That's where the Ultras are. Naively, I was laughing and joking, coming out for the warm-up. But the next minute, there were glass bottles, coins, all sorts getting launched at us. Every time you went near the tunnel, you had to sprint in and sprint out. It was really hostile, that's my biggest memory of it. The night turned out to be really good for us, with Nacho [Novo] coming on and scoring to make it 1-1. It was a brilliant environment to play in, but very hostile. Read more: "You can talk about an atmosphere but until you're in it and experience it, it's just words. When you do experience it, it's a case of what way are you going? Are you intimidated or do you think this is good? That's the real root of whether you're going to be a success at Rangers or Celtic. It's about mentality. Do you go into that environment and think I'm up for that, I like a bit of this - or do you say, don't give me the ball because I'm scared? If it's the latter, you won't be a success." In drawing Panathinaikos, Rangers missed out on facing Servette of Switzerland and Norwegian champions Brann. "When you look at the teams they could have got, it's definitely the toughest opposition," added Naismith. "On top of that, you've had a takeover, a new manager and a squad rebuild that needs to happen. But as important as Champions League and European success is, if they missed out on this one but made the next 10, that's proper success. You have to understand where Rangers are at. "It's tough for any team competing in Europe. That's the toughest part, how early it is. The Old Firm have both been put out in early rounds in the past. You can train as much as you want and have friendlies - but you can't replicate that intensity of competitive football. It's going to be really difficult." New head coach Russell Martin has yet to dip his hand in European management. His possession-based, attack-minded approach could well set the heather alight in Scotland, although in the Premier League with Southampton, it failed to bear fruit. Ange Postecoglou was criticised for his refusal to switch it up on the European scene while at Celtic and Martin might face similar reproval should he remain stubborn on the continent. Regardless, his systematic style will be beneficial for his squad, according to Naismith. "It definitely makes things easier as a player when the manager has a clear, definite way of playing. "Players want simplicity in terms of their role. The style can be complex but as long as the player can understand it simply, it makes it easier. Russ' style is one that players will enjoy. The players who will find it most challenging are defenders. Because he'll ask them to do certain things and be in certain positions that can be uncomfortable. There will be a higher risk because if you're not in the right position it can be really costly. But every other player will be rubbing their hands because it's so enjoyable. "It's the way you wanted to play football growing up. He's worked on it for five years and has been successful. At every club, he's made them a better team and improved players. The proof of that is the sale of players he's worked with. They've moved on for a profit compared to when he brought them in." As well as playing alongside Martin at Norwich City, Naismith lined up with Max Aarons, who is set to become the new gaffer's first signing, all going well. "Max has got really good attributes. He's a modern-day full-back. He's not the tallest but very comfortable on the ball, quick and dynamic both going forward and defensively. "Probably the biggest thing I remember about Max is his attitude with sport. As a young player he was so deceptive to learn and get better and be better. That's why he got into a good Norwich team in the Championship and into the Premier League and eventually Barca come and ask him for you. That tells you a lot about him. "His career has maybe stumbled recently but he's definitely somebody with a high potential. He's got good experience and he's played at a really good level against some top players. I think he'd be a good signing. I think he's somebody who would raise the quality of the squad. If we go back to the previous remit, he's probably been signing young players and developing them. I think he's somebody who comes in and challenges right away." While getting his squad in a sufficient enough state to contest crucial European qualifiers is first up on Martin's Rangers agenda, Naismith thinks getting the club back to the top of the pile in Scotland must be his overarching target. In years gone by, the Govan side's ability to stumble against Scottish Premiership cannon-fodder yet pull off shock results against European teams of a considerable pedigree has been impressive. "I think success domestically has to be the first aim," admits Naismith. "It's not as clear cut as saying it's one over the other - because Rangers can have both. "But what won't be accepted is what's happened in previous years where it's been: 'Oh we've done well in Europe but we're 10 or 15 points behind in the league'. That just won't wash. That's what has to change. Rangers have to beat the other teams in the league. If you look at the points they dropped against teams from the mid-to-low end of the table, it was unacceptable. That's how the gap goes from being four points - where there is still pressure on the team at the top - to that big a gap where it becomes easy and the team at the top can cruise."
