Former Chelsea star Damien Duff is appointed head coach of Irish team Shelbourne FC

Damien Duff is appointed head coach of Shelbourne FC with the former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland midfielder taking up his first managerial role in the Irish top flight

  • Former Chelsea midfielder Damien Duff has bagged his first managerial role  
  • The ex-Republic of Ireland international has been appointed at Shelbourne FC 
  • Duff has held a number of coaching roles since retiring as a player in 2015
  • His new club hailed his ‘passion, work ethic and knowledge of the game’ 


Damien Duff has landed the first managerial role of his career after being appointed head coach of Irish top flight side Sherbourne FC.

The former Republic of Ireland international hung up his boots in 2015 following a successful career with Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham, and has since been gaining experience with a handful of coaching roles.

Duff has coached Shamrock Rovers and the Irish national team at various youth levels, spent a season as a first team coach at Celtic under Neil Lennon and was assistant to Stephen Kenny at the Republic of Ireland. 

Ex-Chelsea and Fulham star Damien Duff has earned his first managerial role with Sherbourne 

Now the former midfielder is ready to get stuck into a top job and carve out his own journey, admitting he ‘can’t wait to start’ and help the club begin a new chapter after being promoted to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

‘I’m delighted to take up the First Team Manager’s position at Shelbourne,’ said Duff. 

‘Having coached and managed our U17 National league team and been around the Club, I can see the plans and ambition in place here and am excited to begin a new chapter of Shelbourne’s 126 year history. 

‘I’m extremely passionate about youth development in Ireland and about Irish football in general and see this as a great opportunity to help build something that both the Club, its fans and myself can be proud of. 

He will take on the newly-promoted Irish top flight side after coaching roles at Celtic and the Republic of Ireland

He will take on the newly-promoted Irish top flight side after coaching roles at Celtic and the Republic of Ireland

Duff, who has worked at Shamrock Rovers youth teams, said he was excited to lead the club into a new chapter

Duff, who has worked at Shamrock Rovers youth teams, said he was excited to lead the club into a new chapter

‘With the Club now in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, and the foundations being put in place by the Board and its Directors, I can’t wait to start.’ 

The club’s technical and sporting director Alan Caffrey praised Duff’s standing in the game and backed him to help the club grow.

‘We at Shelbourne Football Club are delighted to have Damien Duff as our new Head Coach,’ he said. ‘His passion, work ethic and knowledge of the game is second to none. We look forward to seeing our First Team grow, backed up by the pathway that we hope to provide for our Academy players which Damien has worked in and has a great understanding of the talent within. 

‘We wish him and his staff the best of luck as we work together to grow Shelbourne Football Club.’ 

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