Shock Exit: Damien Duff Quits Shelbourne Amid Champions League Push

CHELSEA legend Damien Duff has reportedly quit Irish giants Shelbourne despite being on the verge of Champions League qualification.

The former Premier League winger, 46, decided to walk after his side's 1-0 defeat to Derry, according to RTE .

8 Damien Duff has quit as Shelbourne boss Credit: Rex

8 Duff led his side to title glory last season and had a Champions League qualifier on the horizon Credit: Sportsfile

Duff's exit is said to have shocked players and staff, with the popular gaffer appearing to be comfortable in his role.

Reigning champions Shelbourne play rivals Waterford tomorrow.

While Duff has also quit on the verge of a Champions League qualifier against Northern Irish giants Linfield.

He leaves Shelbourne in sixth place in the League of Ireland Premier Division, 15 points off leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Duff showed no signs that he was planning to leave while assessing Shelbourne's poor performance against Derry.

The ex-Blackburn and Newcastle ace said: “A bad night, a sobering night.

“We didn’t deserve anything from it. Huffed, puffed . . .

“Yes, we had some moments in the first half, the second half, but I’d be embarrassed walking home with a point.

“Not that they created a lot. They definitely play with a bit of quality. We certainly didn’t.

“The biggest thing to take away was (a lack of) quality, quality, quality, absolutely zero energy, flatness.

8 Duff enjoyed a stellar playing career starting at Blackburn Rovers Credit: PA:Empics Sport

8 He then moved to Chelsea where he won two titles Credit: Reuters

“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.

“Here, I don’t like being the one shouting and screaming on the sideline . . . ‘Duffer’s at it again!’ That’s the energy that I have.

“I prepared for Friday’s game like I was a professional footballer. My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind.

“There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere.”

Duff had been at Shelbourne since 2021 and reached the FAI Cup final in his first season while also finishing third in the league.

But the following year Duff became a club legend as he guided Shelbourne to title glory – their first victory since 2006.

Duff enjoyed a fine playing career before moving into management, playing 223 times for Blackburn before joining Chelsea in 2003.

8 Duff next joined Premier League rivals Newcastle Credit: PA:Press Association

8 He later returned to west London with Fulham Credit: Alan Walter - The Times

He was one of Roman Abramovich’s first buys and played 125 times while winning two Premier League titles.

Duff then joined Newcastle in 2006 and played 86 times in three seasons before securing a move to Fulham.

He remained in west London for a further five years, going on to play 173 times for the Cottagers.

Duff then headed to Australia with Melbourne City in 2014, featuring 16 times before seeing out his career during a brief spell a year later with Shamrock Rovers.

The midfielder also clocked up 100 appearances for the Republic of Ireland before joining Shelbourne as manager in 2021.

He guided them to 57 wins from 147 outings but it remains to be seen whether he wants to remain in management.

Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Duff revealed that a group of stars would regularly get “absolutely lamped” while winning back-to-back titles.

He said: “Even when we were playing 60 or 70 games a season, we were out together on the town and p****d.

“We’d be out all the time. A few of the foreign boys would flip in and flip out.

“They’d go out, not drink and feel good the next day whereas the British, Irish and Icelandic lads would go out and get absolutely lamped.

“This was every week. It was the norm.”

8 Duff had a spell in Australia before ending his career in Ireland Credit: Getty Images - Getty

8 He won 100 caps for his country Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription