Damien Duff: Transition to coaching a tough challenge

Former Ireland winger Damien Duff admits the transition to coaching has been a tougher challenge than any of his battles on the pitch.

The 36-year-old recently called time on a decorated overseas career and will resume playing in the League of Ireland once fitness is regained following an ankle injury.

Until then, the Dubliner is consumed with gaining his Uefa B coaching badge, a course he’s currently immersed in with 27 others including former international team-mate Andy Keogh.

Duff describes the switch to practical demonstrations and classroom studies as a “learning curve” and the insight he’s gained makes him appreciate the responsibility that comes with leading a group of players.

“It’s very tough to be brutally honest. It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Duff, who won two Premier League medals with Chelsea, told FAI TV.

“I’ve played against Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp, Ronaldo and whatever.

“It was easy playing against them compared to what we’ve been through this week.

“The classroom has been tough but it’s easier as the week has gone on. I’ve zero qualifications in life apart from football and I guess I wouldn’t be interested in many things other than football.

“This is the next step for me. I’d like to play for another year or so but there are courses on this summer and I’m ticking the box and seeing how we go. Football for me is about going on the pitch and expressing yourself.

“It’s one big learning curve. If you saw me coaching seven days ago compared to now, it’s like night and day. It’s been tough but hopefully we’re going places.”

Duff’s return to his homeland has put a clutch of League of Ireland clubs on alert.

St Patrick’s Athletic manager Liam Buckley admitted over the weekend he’d be interested in recruiting the veteran, while Pat Fenlon insists the potential for Shamrock Rovers competing for the free agent will be determined by the prize-money they can accrue by hurdling a few qualifying rounds in the Europa League.

Bray Wanderers, his local club, are also thought to be in contention, yet Duff says he won’t be guided by emotion.

“I won’t lie to you, when you’re over in England for 20 years I wouldn’t have really watched the league,” he said.

“Following teams or having an affiliation to one, I wouldn’t really have that. It’s not as if I’m coming home supporting a club and it’s my dream to play for them.

“I just want to play football, hopefully, and touch wood get fit and get back on the pitch.

“There’s a lot of quality in the League of Ireland. I with at St Pat’s against Longford on Friday and the first goal from Chris Forrester was an amazing.”