Damien Duff has opened up on his potential future plans, in his first long-form interview with the Irish media since his shock exit from the Shelbourne job.
Duff’s abrupt resignation as Shels boss came just months after he delivered the Premier Division title to Tolka Park for the first time since 2006 on a dramatic final day of the 2024 season in Derry.
Recommended
The Ireland legend stepped aside in June, days after a defeat at the same venue which prompted him to blast some of his players in a post-match interview.
Duff has been visible in Irish society since, making appearances at Oasis and the NFL in Croke Park and running the Dublin Marathon, but has been largely silent in the media.
Amid Ireland’s early struggles in their World Cup qualifying group, he was heavily linked with a job that was assumed to be soon vacant – an assumption that may have been changed by Thursday’s shock win over Portugal.
However, in a long-form interview with the Independent’s Daniel McDonnell this weekend, Duff has revealed that his biggest desire is to return to the League of Ireland and conquer it once more.
READ HERE: Ireland U17s Had Perfect Response To Shootout Antics Of Canadian Goalkeeper
READ HERE: The Resolute Ireland Team We Think Can Secure Unlikely Playoff In Budapest
Damien Duff opens up on potential future plans
Midway through his three-year tenure in charge of the Shelbourne senior team, Damien Duff said that he could not see himself ever managing another League of Ireland team.
He does not necessarily row back on that statement in the excellent Independent interview, but does state that, one way or another, he wants to win another Premier Division title.
“For sure I’d love to win a league again, an Irish league title,” Duff said.
So read into that what you want because there’s such a connection with Shels.
‘Oh Jesus, what does he mean by that? Could he do it anywhere else?’
I’d love to win a league again. I’d love to win the FAI Cup. So, for sure, I’d love to go again there.
Duff has been linked with the Ireland job – links with which he does not necessarily shoot down – and confirms he has received offers from the UK.
However, it is not something that particularly draws him in, especially with a young family.
People always have this grand picture, ‘Work at the highest level, the Premier League’ […] I don’t have that itch, especially where I’m at in my life with my kids and what have you.
League of Ireland clubs may be on high alert with Duff confirming his hope to return to the league, but it would be a bombshell announcement if he were to take a job anywhere other than Tolka Park.
The full interview with Damien Duff touches on so many other topics and is a really superb read. You can read it in full in the Independent here.
SEE ALSO: Dodge’s League Of Ireland Awards For The 2025 Season
