BY Jonny Stapleton
Irish football legend Damien Duff is the new Shelbourne boss man and can’t wait to get stuck into management.
The Dublin favourite has agreed to take over at Tolka Park and begins his first managerial job with immediate effect.
The Premier League winner was Under-17 coach at the Northside club and now takes over first-team affairs as the club returns to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers star had been part of Stephen Kenny’s backroom staff, forged a reputation as a diligent coach at Celtic and had coached underage at Shamrock Rovers as well as Shels but this is his first time in the senior hot seat.
It’s understood Duff initially turned down the club’s advances but has since reconsidered, revealing he is excited to see the direction the club is going in.
“I’m delighted to take up the manager’s position at Shelbourne,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
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