A former Chelsea star has reportedly resigned from his role as a club’s manager.
The news has left players and staff stunned and comes just days after he referred to the side as a ‘pub team’.
During his time at Chelsea he won two Premier League titles as well as the League Cup.
He also played for several other Premier League clubs and made 100 appearances at international level.
The former Chelsea winger had been in charge of his club since 2021 and guided them to the league title last season.
However, he has now elected to depart.
Former Chelsea winger Damien Duff, circled has resigned from his position as Shelbourne boss
Damien Duff’s resignation as manager of Shelbourne was confirmed on Sunday, two days after their 1-0 defeat at home to Derry City, which left his side in sixth place in the table.
Shelbourne are in action at home to Waterford on Monday but Duff won’t be in the dugout.
‘There are no words that do justice to Damien’s accomplishments at Shelbourne FC and what he has done for both the club and the League of Ireland,’ said Neil Doyle, Shelbourne FC co-owner.
‘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.’
The club statement confirmed Duff had informed players of his decision to resign on Sunday.
‘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 statement added.
‘During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch.
Damien Duff has stepped down from being in charge of Irish club Shelbourne
‘The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future.
‘His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club.’
Another former Premier League player will take charge, with ex-Bolton and West Ham defender Joey O’Brien named as Shelbourne’s interim manager, stepping up from his role as Duff’s assistant.
Duff had been furious after the game against Derry City and claimed that his players had performed like a pub team.
He said: ‘This (the Premier Division) is your bread and butter. They are in Europe, in the Champions League, because of the league.
‘I asked them before the (Derry) game, I said it’s 18 days until the Champions League, and I said if they’d have a Champions League mentality, motivation, energy here.
‘I’d say pub teams have better motivation, energy, quality than us. Damning words, but I’m correct in saying them.’
There was further criticism of his players from Duff as he said: ‘I’ll never give them an out of three games in a week. As I said to them at half-time, as I said to them at the end of the game, how well did you as individuals prepare? Did you have an hour in the sunshine yesterday or today?
Ex-Republic of Ireland international Duff won the Premiership title twice with Chelsea
‘I’d say I prepared better than some guys. Granted, even when you do prepare, you might come in flat, lack of energy.
‘How motivated are you then to pull yourself out of that rut, give yourself a talking to? I think some of our guys just accept it and sit there for the night.
‘They are hurting, as they should be and we should be.
Duff guided Shelbourne to the league title in the 2024 season, while the club also reached the final of the FAI Cup in 2022, where they were beaten by Derry City.
During his playing career Duff represented Chelsea between 2003 and 2006. He also played for Blackburn, Fulham and Newcastle.
He had a lengthy international career with the Republic of Ireland, during which he earned a century of caps.
