Damien Duff has linked with Keith Andrews after Brentford confirmed the former Republic of Ireland international has been appointed assistant manager at the Premier League club.
The 47-year-old has been out of the game since leaving his role as Shelbourne manager a year ago, but Andrews, who enjoyed a successful first season in charge of the Bees with a ninth-place finish in the league, has moved to bring Duff to the London club after recent discussions.
The pair worked together in the international fold when Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny brought them both into his coaching team in April 2020.
The following January Duff, who won 100 caps for his country as a player, left the role less than six months later. Andrews remained part of the coaching team until Kenny’s departure in November 2023 following Ireland’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
“I’ve known Damien for a long time,” Andrews said.
“I’ve seen him up close throughout his coaching journey. We’ve been on courses together and worked together as coaches with the Republic of Ireland national team.
“Damien will bring experience, presence and a real level of detail to our coaching department. He will add to the great group we already have and I’m very pleased that he is joining us.”
Duff spoke glowingly of his visit to Brentford and spoke of his admiration for the way in which the club is run.
“You look at maybe a couple of my ex-clubs, Blackburn and Chelsea, they’re two basket cases and that’s why they are where they are. Brentford, brilliant from top to bottom,” he said.
Following a decorated playing career with Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham, Duff’s first taste of coaching came with Shamrock Rovers, taking charge of the club’s Under-15 side in 2017.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon brought Duff to Parkhead in January 2019.
“The next best thing when you finish is obviously coaching and the next best thing for me, I didn’t play for Celtic, but to come and coach here is top class,” he said at the time.
As first-coach under Neil Lennon, Duff helped Celtic complete the treble treble and add a ninth consecutive Scottish Premiership title, before stepping away to focus on his role within Kenny’s Republic of Ireland set-up.
The Dubliner said family reasons lay at the heart of his decision to leave Scotland despite such success with the club.
Damien Duff and Keith Andrews during their time in the Republic of Ireland coaching team in 2020
His time working for the FAI was shortlived however as Ireland struggled for form under Kenny. Winless after eight games, Duff left his role after less than six months.
No reason was given for his sudden departure, though it is understood he was unhappy at an investigation launched into a video shown to the Ireland players before their friendly against England at Wembley in November 2020.
In November 2021 he assumed his first managerial post when Shelbourne promoted him from his Under-17 position as the club returned to the Premier Division, sparking an immediate upturn in fortunes.
FAI Cup runners-up in 2022, the following year a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years.
In 2024 he led the club to a first league title in 18 years after a dramatic final-day victory over Derry City.
The title defence however proved a struggle, with the Tolka Park club in sixth position and 15 points adrift of leaders Shamrock Rovers when he tendered his resignation in June of last year.