Damien Duff reportedly in talks about becoming Shelbourne manager

Duff is set to take his first role in senior management.

Damien Duff is in "advanced negotiations" with Shelbourne about becoming the club's new manager, according to reports. Shelbourne won the League of Ireland First Division this year and will play in the Premier Division next season. The Dublin club recently announced that current manager Ian Morris would leave his position at the end of the season, and it looks as though Duff will be his successor.

Damien Duff is reportedly in talks about becoming Shelbourne manager.

According to the Irish Independent's Daniel McDonnell, Duff is currently in talks with Shelbourne about becoming the club's manager for the 2022 season. The former Republic of Ireland and Chelsea winger has been working as Shels' Under-17 coach since June 2020. Duff was reportedly initially "cool" on the prospect of managing in the League of Ireland, but has seemingly warmed to the idea and has begun identifying backroom staff. The Irish Independent report that Shamrock Rovers defender Joey O'Brien has been lined up as Duff's assistant manager. The pair played together for Ireland.

Damien Duff's coaching career.

Duff initially combined his role at Shelbourne with his role as a coach under Stephen Kenny for the Ireland senior team. The former Blackburn Rovers winger, 42, however, stepped down from his job with the FAI in January 2021. He did not give a reason for his departure, but the Dubliner was reportedly unhappy with the FAI investigation into a motivational video shown to the Ireland players before a friendly against England in November 2020. The former Ireland winger thanked Kenny for the opportunity to coach Ireland upon leaving the role.

Damien Duff at Celtic.

Duff began his coaching career with Shamrock Rovers in 2015 and he was the club's Under-15 manager. He also worked with the Rovers first-team before moving to Celtic to become a reserve team coach in January 2019 The former winger was soon promoted to the first team and worked as a coach under Neil Lennon. Duff was highly-rated at Celtic and helped the Glasgow club win the Scottish League in 2019 and 2020. He became Ireland coach in April 2020 and left Celtic a few months later to move back home to Ireland, saying it was a "family decision." If he becomes Shelbourne manager, it will be his first position as a manager in senior football.