Fans left stunned as ‘golden goose' Damien Duff resigns as Shelbourne boss ahead of Champions League bow
LEAGUE of Ireland fans were left stunned on Sunday afternoon after the shock news of Damien Duff's departure from Shelbourne.
The former Chelsea star shocked the Irish football community as he confirmed his exit from the LOI champions.
2
Damien Duff stepped down as Shelbourne manager on Sunday
2
Duff's departure comes just weeks ahead of their UCL clash against Linfield
The Republic of Ireland legend Damien Duff decided to step down as boss, just weeks before their Champions League qualifier against Linfield.
Duff confirmed to RTÉ Sport that he handed in his resignation earlier today.
Shels currently sit sixth in the table, 15 points adrift of leaders and rivals Shamrock Rovers.
Duff has been unable to replicate that success so far this year as tension escalated with a number of opposing mangers.
read more on football
His unexpected departure comes just 24 hours before the reigning Premier Division champions face Waterford.
One said: "Jesus, that's a bit of a shocker!!"
While another penned: "You have to admit one thing , Damien Duff brought attention to the league that was never there before, got the feeling he was going through same thing as Roy keane at Sunderland, extremely high standards but didn't have the players to match . Would assume Joey steps in now"
A third wrote: "Damien Duff gone? we never get any luck in Europe..."
Most read in Football
While another commented: "Damien duff is most definitely in my head right now."
And one fan said: "Damien Duff told his Shelbourne players this morning he's leaving, 24 hours before tomorrow's visit to Waterford and a fortnight out from their Champions League first round v Linfield. Barring a U-turn, LOI is losing its golden goose…"
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff gives sweet birthday shoutout to his mother after his side's draw against St Pat's
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: How Arsenal's striker transfer targets compare as move for top target hits rocks
ARSENAL are searching for the missing piece to their puzzle, keen to add a deadly striker to their squad to help them go one step further than their three consecutive second place finishes. That search appears to have returned two options - RB Lepizig's 11 Arsenal's move for Benjamin Sesko is stalling Credit: Getty 11 The Gunners are keeping Viktor Gyokeres as their backup Credit: Getty The Slovenian's camp are searching for a pay packet far in excess of what Gyokeres is Arsenal's alternative option, with the Swede ready to leave Sporting after racking up an astonishing goalscoring record. Gyokeres wants to move to the Premier League and is up for grabs this summer, but the 27-year-old is becoming aware he is a second choice. READ MORE ON ARSENAL Arsenal haven't committed to either player yet and it looks like both are still viable options ahead of a crucial campaign for Arteta and his team. Here SunSport breaks down how each player stacks up against one and other and who might be the best fit for the Gunners... Benjamin Sesko Age: 22 Club: RB Leipzig 24/25 apps: 45 24/25 goals: 21 24/25 assists: 6 11 Sesko has been tipped to become one of the best strikers in the world Credit: Getty Benjamin Sesko is regarded as one of the brightest sparks in world football, a young striker with the potential to be a world beater in the future. Most read in Football That's reflected in his numbers, stats that show he isn't the finished article just yet, but a diamond that needs polishing by a top manager instead. Sesko scored 21 goals from 45 appearances last season, six more than the return of any Arsenal player, but some way off the numbers that the top strikers across Europe put up. He is playing in a league that is considered as one of the best in world football, with the Bundesliga's reputation far better than the Portuguese top flight. While he managed four goals in eight Champions League appearances last term, proving he can do it against the best with goals against In the Bundesliga, Sesko scored only 13 goals - comparable numbers to the likes of But for what he might lack in clinical finishing, Sesko makes up for in raw ability. Standing at an imposing 6ft 5in, the Slovenian is a physical specimen who can dominate in the air, unleash impressive pace when needed and offer support beyond finding space in the box. 11 11 Sesko scored twice against Juventus in the Champions League 11 The striker influenced the game across the pitch In fact, under 10 per cent of his touches came inside the box this season - a figure that will be appealing to Arteta as a manager who likes his players to be involved all over the pitch. His aerial ability will also be another huge draw for Arteta and set piece coach Nicolas Jover, who will be dreaming of the damage the Gunners could do with Sesko's leap in the box. The striker shows off his monstrous leap every time he scores - jumping into the air and coming miles off the ground - and that ability has come in handy with 57.4 per cent aerial success rate last term. Sesko might not be the finished article, but there's buzz that he could one day be one of the best striker's in the world. Leipzig teammate Yusuf Poulsen already thinks he's the best player he's played alongside. He said: "He's the best I've played with. If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number nine needs… strength, shooting, technique, everything.' Viktor Gyokeres Age: 27 Club: Sporting Lisbon 24/25 apps: 52 24/25 goals: 54 24/25 assists: 13 11 Viktor Gyokeres scored more goals than anyone else in Europe's top 10 leagues last season Credit: Getty If Benjamin Sesko is the unfinished article, is Viktor Gyokeres the ready-made goal machine? Gyokeres scored an astonishing 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting this season, making him the deadliest forward in Europe. In the league, Gyokeres scored 39 goals in just 33 games - registering seven assists alongside that return too. However, there are question marks over how much those goals mean when they come against the quality of opposition that Sporting are facing in the Portuguese top flight. Against the likes of While of the 39 goals he did score in the league, almost A THIRD of them were penalties (12). However, it's hard to look past such an impressive record, regardless of the opposition. Those firmly in the Gyokeres camp will also point to the stunning Champions League hattrick he scored against Manchester City as an example of his ability against top sides, however two of those were penalties too. Although he isn't as tall as Sesko, Gyokeres still stands at 6ft 2in and is as much of a physical presence as Sesko in the box. Players often seem to fall off him as he uses his wide frame to bulldoze into goalscoring positions. 11 11 Gyokeres was on fire against Manchester City in the Champions League 11 He scored a hattrick against the Premier League side That said, he is far less imposing in the air than Sesko, something that could be putting Arsenal off making him their number one target. One positive for the Gunners is that Gyokeres is no stranger to the English game, having played for Brighton, Swansea and Coventry in the earlier stages of his career. While Gyokeres could also solve the frustration many Arsenal fans have about their players failing to shoot often enough. The former Gyokeres is also impressive with the ball at his feet, creating the second most chances of any other Primera Liga last season and ranking third for attempted dribbles. But if all the stats add up and Gyokeres is available, why isn't there a queue out of the door to sign him? Well, it appears the concern over the quality of Portuguese football is a genuine one, and one with a history of not paying off. Arsenal will want assurances that their Portuguese purchase is a Bruno Fernandes and not a Darwin Nunez. 11
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Damien Duff resigns as Shelbourne FC manager
DAMIEN DUFF HAS quit as manager of Shelbourne. The 2024-league winning boss informed the players of his decision this morning. Advertisement It comes after Friday's 1-0 defeat at home to Derry City, after which he questioned the level of professionalism from his squad. Shels are currently sixth, 15 points adrift of league leaders Shamrock Rovers. RTÉ Sport has also reported that Duff confirmed his resignation today. Written by David Sneyd and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Damien Duff quits as Shelbourne manager just 24 hours before key league clash
Damien Duff has made a shock exit from his role as manager of League of Ireland champions Shelbourne, just a day before the club's Premier Division clash with Waterford. Duff's resignation also comes just two weeks ahead of Shelbourne's crucial Champions League qualifier against Linfield. It is understood that players were informed of his decision during a meeting on Sunday morning. The club, who currently sit sixth in the table and trail Shamrock Rovers by 15 points, confirmed the news in a statement released on Sunday. Damien Duff has made a shock exit from his role as manager of League of Ireland champions Shelbourne, just a day before the club's Premier Division clash with Waterford. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile Duff, a former Republic of Ireland international, took over at Tolka Park in 2022 in what was his first senior management role. Under his leadership, Shelbourne ended Shamrock Rovers' dominance last season by claiming their first league title in 18 years. However, they have struggled to replicate that form this season, and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Derry City on Friday night. In a statement, Shelbourne paid tribute to Duff's contribution over his four-year tenure: '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. Duff, a former Republic of Ireland international, took over at Tolka Park in 2022 in what was his first senior management role. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher 'During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch. 'Appointed in November 2021, he took over a newly promoted side and rebuilt it from the ground up. Duff guided Shels to a seventh-place finish and a first FAI Cup Final appearance since 2011 in that debut season. 'The following year, in 2023, a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years. 'In 2024, Duff led the Reds to one of the greatest triumphs in the club's 130-year history, clinching the League of Ireland Premier Division. 'The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future. His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club.' Shelbourne also confirmed that assistant coach Joey O'Brien and the existing coaching staff will lead the team for Monday's trip to the RSC to face Waterford, and prepare for Friday's fixture away to Galway United.
