‘I was running on anger’ — Duff open to managerial return after time away from the game

Damien Duff has spoken about the toll managing Shelbourne took on him, before adding that a return to management could be on the cards. 

Speaking on his punditry debut for Virgin Media ahead of the Dublin derby between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, the ex-Reds boss explained that he stepped away from the job as he had turned into a “wild animal”. 

“I won’t lie to you Tommy, I’ve probably slept a lot in the last 10 months, done a lot of boxing, watched a lot of football, a lot of school runs,” Duff said.

“Outside of that, not a lot. Listen, I’m going over old ground but I needed to do what I did. I needed to slow down before I quicken up again. I needed to put myself first for once before the football club. 

“There was probably a bit of me that didn’t like who I was becoming at times. I was fighting the world – I was angry, running on anger and highly emotional. 

“But it was something I felt I had to do to get Shelbourne back to the top and I felt if we didn’t do that we wouldn’t have won the league. I absolutely stand over that. 

“Worrying for me is, when I get back in would I be the same again? Probably. 

“I’m not trying to embarrass Brian [Kerr] but he rang me a couple of days afterwards. Firstly, to see how I was but also to say that I probably stopped being Damien Duff. 

“Believe it or not, I’m a softly-spoken guy, a bit of a mammy’s boy and there were times I turned into a bit of a wild animal, which isn’t me.” 

On the same panel, ex-Ireland boss Brian Kerr said that Irish football needs Duff working in some capacity within the international set-up. 

When asked about the prospects of him managing in the League of Ireland again, the 47-year-old added: 

“I don’t think they’d want me. I’ve fallen out with every club, every fanbase, the Camac down at Pat’s, the Jodi Stand, the whole of Tallaght, the two managers tonight. 

“I’m not sure where would welcome me, but listen, Shelbourne was an amazing time in my life. But here, never say never. 

“It’s a special place for me but they have moved on – they’ve a wonderful manager, world-class coach and you’re soon forgotten about in this game.”