Damien Duff quits as Shelbourne boss and sends shockwaves through League of Ireland
duff bombshell |
The Ireland legend decided he could offer no more to the side who claimed the Premier Division title last season.
Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
The statement released by the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions on Sunday confirmed the former Ireland and Chelsea star who led Shels to the title last season has decided he could offer no more to the team after a 1-0 defeat against Derry City on Friday night.
'Shelbourne FC regretfully wishes to announce the departure of Damien Duff as first team manager,' read the club statement.
'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.
Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd
'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 title, our first since 2006. On the final day we went to Derry, where a 1-0 win at the Brandywell secured the title in dramatic fashion, marking Shels return to the summit of Irish football.
'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.
'Joey O'Brien and the coaching staff will take charge for tomorrow's trip to the RSC to face Waterford and will prepare the team for Friday's away fixture against Galway United.'
Duff's decision to step down was a shock, despite his scathing criticism of team following the defeat against Derry.
'I prepared for the game like I was a professional footballer,' said Duff on Friday night. '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 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.
'That's where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute.
'Did I smell it on Thursday? Of course! It (training) was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, your motivation, how good a professional you are.
'I don't mind saying it again, because it is absolutely true. It's my energy that has driven the players for four years. I've offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show, this steam train. They've never really done it. Again, tonight, it's me shouting and screaming. Joe (O'Brien – assistant) shouting and screaming. We had a real energy because we were highly motivated men, prepared well and I didn't feel that spark, that energy off the players.
'You're all probably saying 'here he goes again'. I'm trying to drag the team, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up.
'For three years, we've been an incredibly motivated team. If you had a bad night it was a given that you get a reaction. As I told the lads upstairs, I don't know (if there will be one in Waterford on Monday). You never know with us anymore, which is damning. It's damning on me because I'm the manager.
'To become champions again, you have to be hungrier than last year, you have to work harder than last year, and again if you ask that question to our guys, I'm not sure how many would say yes, I smelled these type of issues in pre season.
'I thought I would come back and the dressing room would drive itself, because there's big characters, there's champions in there. It didn't. It's not driven by the players. It's driven by me. And like I said to Darren (Cleary – press officer), you can grab every player down here now and ask the same question: 'Is it Duffer that drives everything?'
'It is, and it gets tiring, but most importantly, it gets frustrating. Yeah, I'm there to help and coach and pick the best teams. I don't think it's the manager that should drive a dressing room that still is.'
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'There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere. Duff celebrates after securing European qualification in 2023. Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO '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. 'That's where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute. Did I smell it on Thursday [in training]? Of course! It was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, your motivation, how good a professional you are.' 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Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO It wasn't just the players that were on the receiving end, a very public falling out with Stephen Bradley culminating earlier this month when Duff accused the Rovers boss of lacking class in victory. Duff did turn down one job in England in January, making it clear he had no desire to leave at the time, and he repeated his commitment again in April when his son Woody attended one of his press conferences ahead of a Dublin derby with Bohemians. Doyle was also there as well as new chief executive, former Dublin footballer Mossy Quinn. 'I don't look or picture myself anywhere else but Ireland,' Duff said. 'As long as I'm wanted here, I'm staying here.' Those words – and there have been plenty of headlines courtesy of Duff – will no doubt be used by some to mock or belittle what has been an emotional rollercoaster over three and a half years. Duff's dedication and commitment to the Shelbourne cause was intense, right until the spark went out.
