Damien Duff sensationally quits as Shelbourne manager

“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," the club said in a statement.

SHOCK: Damien Duff was in his fourth season as Shelbourne manager. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Damien Duff’s abrupt departure as Shelbourne manager on Sunday was in keeping with his dramatic tenure.

From the moment he assumed his first senior managerial position in November 2021, the Ireland centurion developed into a voice of authority for the League of Ireland.

That he felt his voice no longer held the desired effect in the Shels dressing room, the day before their trip to Waterford, and fortnight away from a Champions League bow, was classic decisive Duff.

He’s got form in this regard.

When Duff quit the Ireland set-up eight games into Stephen Kenny’s reign in late 2020, it was from being unable to continue working with the manager.

Chatter of being due to the Wembleygate incident was merely a red herring.

The man who leans heavily on instinct often talks about anticipating a situation based on smell. His nostrils weren’t feeling rosy lately.

He informed his players of his intention to walk at Sunday morning’s training session at the AUL Complex in Dublin, emphasising their collective feat in taking the club back to the summit of Irish football 18 years on from their last men’s top-flight crown.

Defending their title was a task the former two-time English Premier League winner relished, recruiting Mipo Odubeko and Kerr McInroy from abroad, but they currently sit sixth in the Premier Division, 15 points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Still, the timing of his exit wasn’t foreseen.

The club’s hierarchy, led by co-owners Mickey O’Rourke and Neil Doyle, tried their best to persuade Duff to change his mind but despite their pleas he wasn’t for moving.

He leaves behind him the opportunity of being a Champions League boss for a winnable All-Island tie against Linfield on July 9 (Tolka Park) and July 16 (Windsor Park).

Prize-money of €1m was guaranteed from qualification for Uefa’s Premier competition but emerging through the first round would secure at least three more rounds within Europe’s competition structure to multiply that pot.

Duff’s media briefings, pre and post-match, have been an intriguing aspect of his three-and-a-half-year spell, his frank honesty about the LOI and overall state of the Irish game lapped up by the public domestically and internationally.

His comments, however, on Friday were considered a signal of his frustrations at the current Shels stagnation.

After allowing himself to become embroiled in an unseemly and unnecessary spat with Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, he turned on his own players by cutting deep with his assessment of Friday’s 1-0 home loss to Derry City.

There were marked differences in the teams in the rematch from the opening night 3-1 victory for the champions.

The 46-year-old didn’t hold back in his sentiments following the 1-0 loss. Questioning the motivation of players tends to mark the point of no return.

“The biggest thing to take away was a lack of quality, energy and probably motivation,” said Duff who led the newly-promoted side to the FAI Cup final, European qualification and the title over his first three seasons.

"If you are an amazing professional, you bounce into the third game in a week. Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking to.” Duff contrasted the warm-up of his players with himself: "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. It all comes back to how motivated players are”.

Where Duff goes now will be watched closely but a break from the intensity he’s channelled for 42 months is inevitable.

The reigning Soccer Writers Ireland SSE Airtricity Men’s Personality of the Year insisted he’s no interest in managing the Ireland team nor working for any other League of Ireland club.

Doyle, speaking on behalf of the board, sounded crestfallen in his statement: “There are no words that do justice to Damien’s accomplishments at Shelbourne FC and what he has done for both the club and LOI.

“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.”