.jpg) Duff in 2012 | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Damien Anthony Duff | |||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1979-03-02)2 March 1979 (age 46) | |||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Ballyboden, Dublin, Ireland | |||||||||||||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Winger | |||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||
| Leicester Celtic | ||||||||||||||
| Lourdes Celtic | ||||||||||||||
| St. Kevin's Boys | ||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||
| 1996–2003 | Blackburn Rovers | 185 | (27) | |||||||||||
| 2003–2006 | Chelsea | 81 | (14) | |||||||||||
| 2006–2009 | Newcastle United | 69 | (5) | |||||||||||
| 2009–2014 | Fulham | 130 | (15) | |||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Melbourne City | 15 | (1) | |||||||||||
| 2015 | Shamrock Rovers | 9 | (0) | |||||||||||
| Total | 489 | (62) | ||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||
| 1998–2012 | Republic of Ireland | 100 | (8) | |||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||
| 2021– | Shelbourne | |||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||
Damien Anthony Duff (born 2 March 1979) is an Irish professionalfootball manager and formerplayer. He is currently the manager ofLeague of Ireland clubShelbourne.
He began his professional playing career withBlackburn Rovers, with whom he won theFootball League Cup, and in 2003 was signed for £17 million byChelsea, where he won twoPremier League titles and another League Cup. After three seasons atStamford Bridge, he left forNewcastle United where he won the2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup, and then moved on toFulham, with whom he played in the2010 UEFA Europa League Final. He ended his career with brief spells in theA-League withMelbourne City and the League of Ireland withShamrock Rovers before retiring in December 2015. Since then, he has moved into coaching, working with Shamrock Rovers,Celtic and Republic of Ireland youth teams.
Duff played international football for theRepublic of Ireland for 14 years, winning100 caps between 1998 and 2012. He played at the2002 FIFA World Cup andcaptained the country atUEFA Euro 2012.
Duff joinedBlackburn Rovers as a trainee in 1996 after playing forLeicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic andSt. Kevin's Boys as a schoolboy inDublin.[1] He made his Blackburn debut at the age of 18 againstLeicester City on the final day of the1996–97 season for which he won theMan of the match award. In his firstfull season, he scored five goals. Blackburn were relegated thefollowing season.
Duff helped Blackburn achieve promotion back to thePremier League in2001[2] and then win theLeague Cup in 2002, beatingTottenham Hotspur 2–1 at theMillennium Stadium in a season where he wasPlayer of the Year.[3] Following the2002 World Cup, Duff signed a new four-year contract with Rovers.[4] Despite injury problems in the2002–03 season, he finished as Blackburn's top goalscorer with 9 league goals, which helped his team finish sixth and qualify for theUEFA Cup.
In the run up to the2003–04 season,Chelsea made a series of bids for Duff,[5] with a£17 million offer, eventually triggering a release clause in the player's contract. Duff chose to move toWest London in July.[6] Signed by managerClaudio Ranieri as part of the development of Chelsea financed by new ownerRoman Abramovich, Duff made his debut in August 2003 in theChampions League against Slovakian sideMŠK Žilina. Chelsea won 2–0 and Duff was described as the "star of the show".[7] He scored his first Chelsea goal on 20 September 2003 in a 5–0 away win againstWolverhampton Wanderers. Duff scored the third Chelsea goal and was named asMan of the match.[8][9] Duff played 23 games in all competitions for Chelsea in the2003–04 season scoring five goals. He missed theChampions League semi-finals as Chelsea lost toAS Monaco but was instrumental in securing for Chelsea second place in thePremier League, the club's highest league finish for 49 years as well as being part of the Champions League run, but the season ultimately ended trophyless and with the sacking of managerClaudio Ranieri.[10][11][12]
The arrival of Dutch wingerArjen Robben and new managerJosé Mourinho posed a threat to Duff's place in the starting line-up for the2004–05 season, but an injury to Robben at the start of the season saw Duff as the only available winger. Mourinho, however, did not play Duff in the early part of the 2004–05 season, preferring a more narrow approach. Duff eventually got into the side after four games and, when Robben returned to the side, Duff's versatility saw him move to the right wing and form a wing partnership with Robben. The season proved to be successful for both Duff and Chelsea. He scored ten goals, including a crucial strike in a 4–2 win againstBarcelona in the Champions League,[13] while the team won the Premier League title by 12 points from second placed Arsenal, and theLeague Cup, in which Duff scored the winning goal in the semi-final againstManchester United.[14][15][16] He scored three goals in 28 league appearances in the following season as the club retained their Premier League title.
In July 2006, Duff agreed terms over a £5 million move toNewcastle United, signing a five-year contract.[17] Duff made his competitive debut in aUEFA Cup second round qualifying first leg match againstLatvian sideVentspils on 10 August 2006.[18] He scored his first goal for Newcastle in September that year in a 2–0 victory overWest Ham United away at theBoleyn Ground.[19] Duff suffered a knee injury in November that kept him out for four months, during which Newcastle had a bad run of defeats. He returned but was then ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury in a 2–1 loss toPortsmouth in April 2007.[20]Sam Allardyce later described Duff's injury as 'career threatening'.[21] DuringAlan Shearer's short stint as interim manager, Duff was asked to play as left back.[22]
In the final match of the 2008–09 season, againstAston Villa in a crucial relegation decider, Duff unluckily scored the deciding own goal by deflecting in a 20-yard shot by Villa'sGareth Barry which sent Newcastle down.[23] Duff confirmed his intention to stay at the relegated club and help them back into the Premier League.[24] On 8 August 2009, Duff scored Newcastle's first goal of the2009–10 season in a 1–1 draw againstWest Bromwich Albion.[25]
After playing one game for Newcastle in 2009–10, Duff returned to the Premier League, signing forFulham on a three-year contract for £4 million, and re-joiningRoy Hodgson, his first manager at Blackburn Rovers.[26] He made his Fulham debut coming on as a substitute againstAmkar Perm in the Cottagers'UEFA Europa League qualifier match, setting up the third goal in a 3–1 win.[27] Duff scored his first league goal for Fulham on 13 September 2009 in a 2–1 victory overEverton, scoring in the 79th minute.[28] On 19 December 2009, Duff scored in the 75th minute in a 3–0 victory overManchester United.[29] On 17 January 2010, Duff started the game against Blackburn Rovers atEwood Park and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat.[30]
On 22 August 2010, he started and played the full 90 minutes against Manchester United atCraven Cottage in a 2–2 draw and also picked up a booking.[31] On 18 September 2010, he started and played the entire match against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a 1–1 draw.[32] On 15 January 2011, Duff made his 500th career appearance in English football when he lined up againstWigan Athletic playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw at theDW Stadium.[33] On 5 February 2011, he started the Premier League game against Aston Villa in a 2–2 draw atVilla Park, but was replaced on 67 minutes bySimon Davies.[34] On 27 February 2011, he played the full 90 minutes and also scored a goal in the match withManchester City atEastlands in a 1–1 draw.[35]
On 5 March 2011, Duff scored a brace in a 3–2 win against former side Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage.[36]With the two goals, he continued a run of four goals in five matches.[37]
About Fulham and his time at the football club, Duff stated: "I like to think that I have found my feet again here at Fulham. It's a good environment and one that players feel very comfortable in. This is a club with so much character and I'm very happy to be helping move it forward."[38] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Duff made 27 appearances and scored 4 goals in all competitions, including making 24 Premier League appearances. On 19 August 2011, Duff signed a one-year extension to his current deal.[39]
After nine goalless matches, Duff scored in Fulham's 2–1 win overNorwich City on 31 March 2012.[40]A week later, on 7 April 2012, he starred in Fulham's 0–3 away win overBolton Wanderers, setting upClint Dempsey for the second goal of the match. During the match, which marked his 350th league appearance, he was a constant threat on the right wing.[41] On 18 August 2012, Duff scored the opening goal in Fulham's 5–0 win overNorwich City on the opening day of the2012–13 Premier League.[42] He scored again in the following game, a 3–2 defeat to Manchester United.[43]
On 22 February 2013, Duff signed a new contract with Fulham, keeping him at the club until summer 2014.[44] On 16 April 2014, Duff confirmed his intention to leave Fulham at the end of the2013–14 season. Duff toldThe Irish Times, "I'll be leaving Fulham. The club haven't spoken to me and I haven't spoken to the club but we don't need to speak."[45] He was released from the club on 23 May.[46]
In June 2014, Duff joined AustralianA-League clubMelbourne City as a free transfer in a one-year deal. Duff made his debut againstSydney FC on match day one, assistingDavid Villa for his first goal in the A-League. Duff scored his first goal against theNewcastle Jets in a 5–2 win.[47] In March 2015, Duff confirmed that he would leave Melbourne City to return to his homeland, with the intention of finishing his career in theLeague of Ireland.[48][49][50]
On 14 July 2015, Duff signed forLeague of Ireland Premier Division clubShamrock Rovers,[51] and revealed he would be donating his wages to charity.[52] After nine games for the Dublin-based side, on 21 December 2015 he announced his retirement from football.[53]
Duff played for theRepublic of Ireland national under-19 football team in the1997 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship finals in Iceland, the1997 and1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. InMalaysia, he scored the first everGolden Goal in aWorld Cup match.[54]
He made his senior début for the Republic of Ireland in 1998 against theCzech Republic. He won 100caps, making him the fifth most capped player in Irish history.[55] He started a total of 82 times for the Republic of Ireland senior squad, scoring eight goals.
He played every game for Republic of Ireland at the2002 FIFA World Cup and was voted the team's player of the tournament. After scoring againstSaudi Arabia, en route to the second round of the FIFA World Cup, Duff marked his goal with an oriental bow, in retrospect often referred to as one of the most memorable moments of his international career.[56] He was named as theFAI Senior International Player of the Year in 2002.[57]
After a poor campaign, failing to qualify and a change of managers during the qualifiers forUEFA Euro 2004, he still scored two goals during the qualifiers againstGeorgia andRussia.[58][59]
He was ever present for the Republic of Ireland in their qualifying campaign for the2006 FIFA World Cup, but yet again, they failed to qualify.[60] Duff's former teammateSteve Staunton took over as manager but early defeats toGermany and a humiliating 5–2 loss toCyprus saw the Irish fail to qualify again for a major tournament, followed by another change of manager.
Under the new managerGiovanni Trapattoni, Duff started the manager's first game in charge against Serbia on 24 May 2008, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[61] Duff became a key member of the squad proving assists for many of the goals. He started the matches in both legs againstFrance as the Irish werecontroversially knocked out 2–1 on aggregate after extra-time.[62]
Duff was ever-present on the wings for the Republic of Ireland in theirUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and he was part of the team that secured qualification forUEFA Euro 2012 withan unprecedented 5–1 aggregate play-off win overEstonia.[63] He was named in Trapattoni's 23-man squad forUEFA Euro 2012 and was given the number 11 jersey.[64] On 18 June 2012, he captained the Republic of Ireland on his 100th cap againstItaly, their final group game of the tournament.[65] This turned out to be the last match he played representing his country.[66]
He announced his retirement from international football on 24 August 2012.[67]
During his last playing season atShamrock Rovers, Duff coached the club's under-15 team.[68] On 16 April 2016, it was announced that he would take on a coaching role with the Republic of Ireland under-15s, in line with the recommendation fromFAI High Performance Director, Ruud Dokter, that more ex-internationals get involved in coaching roles with the national team setup.[69] On 31 July 2016, Duff joined the Shamrock Rovers first-team coaching staff until the end of the season, with the intention that he would then take control of the under-15 group he previously managed, then competing in theLeague of Ireland U17 Division.
Duff was appointed to a reserve team coaching position withCeltic in January 2019.[70] WhenNeil Lennon became interim manager at Celtic in February 2019, Duff was promoted to first team coach, withJohn Kennedy promoted to assistant manager.[71] After the club completed a third successivedomestic treble, Lennon was made permanent manager, with Duff and Kennedy retaining their roles.[72] Celtic secured a ninth league title in-a-row and fourth straight League Cup in2019–20.[73] On 5 April 2020, Duff was announced as the assistant manager of theRepublic of Ireland senior team toStephen Kenny, who replacedMick McCarthy.[74] On 24 June 2020 it was announced that in conjunction with his role as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team, Duff would also become head coach of the under 17 team at League of Ireland clubShelbourne.[75] On 8 January 2021, Duff stepped down as Kenny's assistant.[76]
On 3 November 2021, Duff was appointed as the first team manager ofLeague of Ireland Premier Division club,Shelbourne.[77] His first match in senior management was a 3–0 loss at home to rivalsSt Patrick's Athletic on 18 February 2022.[78] Duff led Shels to aFAI Cup Final in his first season.[79]
While coaching for Shelbourne, Duff has criticised theEnglish Football Leagues for not taking theLeague of Ireland, and Irish teams seriously, mainly in not valuing Irish League players at their true value. Duff stated "Do they think we’re cavemen over here? That’s the stuff you’re dealing with. I think we’re disrespected in terms of what we offer. It’s ‘ah Ireland, why would you loan players to Ireland?’ That’s the UK club mentality."[80]
At the end of Duff's second season in charge, he guided Shels in toUEFA Conference League qualifiers with a fourth place finish.[81] Following the final match of the season in Drogheda, Duff spoke of his uncertainty of staying atTolka Park as a result of the takeover by Turkish mogulAcun Ilıcalı and a difference in opinion in the club's future. Following a "concerted campaign" by Shels fans for Duff to remain at the club, Ilicali relinquished his ownership of Shels.[82]
On 1 November 2024, Duff guided Shelbourne to thetitle for the first time since2006 after a 1-0 win againstDerry City with the goal coming five minutes from time on the last day of the season at theBrandywell.[83][84][85] Duff described the title win as "Hollywood"[86] and said it was the "pinnacle of his career".[87] Shels had been 25/1 outsiders to win the league at the start of the season.[88]
Duff was born inBallyboden,County Dublin.[89]
Duff married Elaine in June 2010 atBabington House nearFrome inSomerset. The couple's first child, Woody, was born a year later in the county.[90][91] Duff is also a rugby fan, and is personally acquainted with some of Ireland's international rugby players.[92]
According to the February 2009 issue ofFourFourTwo magazine Duff was worth £14 million, placing him 92nd in the magazine's 2009 Football Rich List.[93]
Duff was referenced in the song Summertime Shootout (featuringT-Pain) byAJ Tracey from his albumFlu Game.
Duff was part ofRTÉ Sport's coverage ofUEFA Euro 2016,[94]UEFA Euro 2020 andFIFA World Cup 2022.[95]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 1996–97 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Premier League | 26 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 5 | |||
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 28 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | — | 36 | 1 | ||
| 1999–00 | First Division | 39 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 44 | 7 | |||
| 2000–01 | First Division | 32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 39 | 3 | |||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 32 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 39 | 8 | |||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 26 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3[c] | 1 | — | 31 | 11 | ||
| Total | 184 | 27 | 18 | 2 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | 223 | 35 | |||
| Chelsea | 2003–04 | Premier League | 23 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11[d] | 1 | — | 37 | 6 | |
| 2004–05 | Premier League | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 10[d] | 2 | — | 48 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Premier League | 28 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[d] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 40 | 3 | |
| Total | 81 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 125 | 19 | ||
| Newcastle United | 2006–07 | Premier League | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | — | 33 | 1 | |
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 3 | |||
| 2009–10 | Championship | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||
| Total | 69 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 86 | 6 | |||
| Fulham | 2009–10 | Premier League | 32 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14[f] | 1 | — | 50 | 9 | |
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 24 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 4 | |||
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14[f] | 3 | — | 44 | 6 | ||
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 3 | |||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 | |||
| Total | 130 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 4 | — | 173 | 22 | |||
| Melbourne City | 2014–15 | A-League | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 1 | |||
| Shamrock Rovers | 2015 | League of Ireland | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 488 | 62 | 44 | 6 | 31 | 7 | 68 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 632 | 83 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland[99] | 1998 | 5 | 0 |
| 1999 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 100[66] | 8 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 August 2001 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland |  Croatia | 1–0 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 11 June 2002 | International Stadium Yokohama,Yokohama, Japan |  Saudi Arabia | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup |
| 3 | 29 March 2003 | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium,Tbilisi, Georgia |  Georgia | 1–0 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying |
| 4 | 30 April 2003 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland |  Norway | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 6 September 2003 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland |  Russia | 1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying |
| 6 | 18 November 2003 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland |  Canada | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 7 | 1 March 2006 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland |  Sweden | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 8 | 8 February 2011 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland |  Wales | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2011 Nations Cup |
| Team | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||
| Shelbourne | 3 November 2021 | Present | 131 | 52 | 44 | 35 | 152 | 128 | +24 | 039.69 |
| Career total | 131 | 52 | 44 | 35 | 152 | 128 | +24 | 039.69 | ||
Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Fulham
Republic of Ireland U20
Republic of Ireland
Individual
Shelbourne
I've played left wing all my life, so I suppose it is there that I am most settled
Everything about this stadium is to do with rugby, all the pictures in the corridors are of rugby. I love my rugby – I know quite a few of the international players – but we needed that win for football
Republic of Ireland squads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| International | |
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| National | |
