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Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Joins Keith Andrew’s staff, spelling mistake in the title - mods please may you fix.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

This was rumoured last year. Maybe that educated guess was pretty educated.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

He’s been in and out of the training ground and talking about us a lot over the past few months, I think this was probably a done deal a while ago.

Worry for Damsgaard, Jensen, Ajer and Valdimarsson though. The Irish still haven’t forgiven the Viking for Clontarf 😂
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Really happy with this.

Another Irish bee, and a proper nostalgia hit as I remember that 04-06 Chelsea team very fondly, of course back then we weren’t finishing above them in the league!!

Ironically I think Chelsea would be very very lucky to have him now.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Not a surprise. Should be interesting. For sure he was a brilliant player. But does a brilliant player make a good coach?
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

I'm really excited about this. Damien Duff is pretty candid with his opinions, and I think we all agree that we are too nice as a team.
I see this a little bit like when we had the likes of Tony Craig and Alan McCormack in the team. Those two took no crap. And that made a difference to the squad mentality. I'm sure Duff will bring that bit of candidness that will separate some the men from the boys.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Leicester Bee said:
I'm really excited about this. Damien Duff is pretty candid with his opinions, and I think we all agree that we are too nice as a team.
I see this a little bit like when we had the likes of Tony Craig and Alan McCormack in the team. Those two took no crap. And that made a difference to the squad mentality. I'm sure Duff will bring that bit of candidness that will separate some the men from the boys.
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Maybe he and Kev can take it in turns to shout at the fourth official so Kev doesn’t have to take the yellow every game
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Les Beeavinu said:
It was a joke, we only play inverted wingers now.
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There’s some of these needed, I think!
:whoosh:
More seriously, he’s done well wherever he’s been and, being an old-fashioned winger, will know an awful lot about attacking play in general and how to penetrate a modern defence in particular.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

We will have to stop the 'Diego' chants against Fulham for a while...?
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

What a signing! Can’t wait to see him start in the new season

F.Y.I if you see comments saying finally a proper aren’t in jest and in support of Schade, then please start trying.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

BuzzingBee95 said:
What a signing! Can’t wait to see him start in the new season

F.Y.I if you see comments saying finally a proper aren’t in jest and in support of Schade, then please start trying.
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Qué?
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

BEEcool said:
Qué?
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At the start of the thread a couple of comments misinterpreted the jokes about finally a proper winger and schade hate. Letting them know it isn’t.

Glad to have Duff though. Was a very good player and has always carried himself well
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

I've been living in Ireland for the past 23 years, and as well as holding a Bees season ticket I also have one for Shelbourne FC, attending most games. Duffer was manager here from 2022-2025 and is a legend in these parts who would be welcomed back with open arms should he ever decided to rejoin the club.

Duff changed the league when he was appointed manager in 2022. Contrary to the comment by @WombleBee, the League of Ireland is not a part-time league as all Premier Division clubs are now full time. He raised the profile of the league and helped foster the current professionalism and high level of play that we now see on a weekly basis. He gave fascinating press conferences, was always good for a soundbite, and made it clear in no uncertain terms that the club ran through his veins. The challenge faced here is that any players who show promise and potential are quickly signed by an English or Scottish club, so Duff worked on building a core team of league veterans and young talent. He used his own, and his assistant Joey O'Brien's, tactical skill, coupled with a Clough style man management, to get the best out of his players.

Players would run through brick walls for him, they knew their place, knew when to enjoy themselves, but also knew when to knuckle down and get the job done. Despite not winning a game for 3 months, Shelbourne won the league for the first time in 18 years in 2024 on the last day.

Duff is not afraid to chop a player who he feels isn't buying into his way of doing things. He could be cutting to individuals in interviews with the intent of focusing the mind and he would usually get the positive response he was looking for.

For the 2025 season he attempted to bring in a more possession based style of play which didn't yield the results as expected. A year ago after a loss to Derry City he uncharacteristically blasted the whole team in a post game interview, then resigned a few days later. He admitted that he had got too wrapped up in the team, it was taking over his life and he needed a break.

He admits himself that his passion for Shelbourne alienated him from being welcomed at any other League of Ireland team, so it was obvious that he would be looking abroad for his next job.

What we will get is a experienced coach who has a long record of working well with KA; an experienced man manager who has first hand experience of leading a team to glory on a budget and getting the best out of his players; a coach who has come up through the ranks coaching underage teams and developing talent; and an ex-player with Premier League title winning experience.

As long as he has learned to reign in his mouth a bit he will be a success. I am excited to see how the ideas he has developed over the years can be brought to fruition with a higher calibre of player
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Possible next manager ?
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

itchybowwow said:
I've been living in Ireland for the past 23 years, and as well as holding a Bees season ticket I also have one for Shelbourne FC, attending most games. Duffer was manager here from 2022-2025 and is a legend in these parts who would be welcomed back with open arms should he ever decided to rejoin the club.

Duff changed the league when he was appointed manager in 2022. Contrary to the comment by @WombleBee, the League of Ireland is not a part-time league as all Premier Division clubs are now full time. He raised the profile of the league and helped foster the current professionalism and high level of play that we now see on a weekly basis. He gave fascinating press conferences, was always good for a soundbite, and made it clear in no uncertain terms that the club ran through his veins. The challenge faced here is that any players who show promise and potential are quickly signed by an English or Scottish club, so Duff worked on building a core team of league veterans and young talent. He used his own, and his assistant Joey O'Brien's, tactical skill, coupled with a Clough style man management, to get the best out of his players.

Players would run through brick walls for him, they knew their place, knew when to enjoy themselves, but also knew when to knuckle down and get the job done. Despite not winning a game for 3 months, Shelbourne won the league for the first time in 18 years in 2024 on the last day.

Duff is not afraid to chop a player who he feels isn't buying into his way of doing things. He could be cutting to individuals in interviews with the intent of focusing the mind and he would usually get the positive response he was looking for.

For the 2025 season he attempted to bring in a more possession based style of play which didn't yield the results as expected. A year ago after a loss to Derry City he uncharacteristically blasted the whole team in a post game interview, then resigned a few days later. He admitted that he had got too wrapped up in the team, it was taking over his life and he needed a break.

He admits himself that his passion for Shelbourne alienated him from being welcomed at any other League of Ireland team, so it was obvious that he would be looking abroad for his next job.

What we will get is a experienced coach who has a long record of working well with KA; an experienced man manager who has first hand experience of leading a team to glory on a budget and getting the best out of his players; a coach who has come up through the ranks coaching underage teams and developing talent; and an ex-player with Premier League title winning experience.

As long as he has learned to reign in his mouth a bit he will be a success. I am excited to see how the ideas he has developed over the years can be brought to fruition with a higher calibre of player
Click to expand...

And let's bear in mind that KA is the gaffer, and DD is not. So DD is likely to be one of those voices that is needed (maybe to say a few home truths), and it'll provide more balance to the communication within the squad.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

I thought this was King Kevs role. Is he off?
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

This reflects very well on KA. As the no 1 it must be easy to surround yourself with low profile people who are unlikely to be perceived as long term 'threats'. DD is clearly a charismatic, successful and ambitious guy. Clearly the sort who could be the next Head Coach. KA clearly not phased by that which says a lot. Great appointment all round.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

itchybowwow said:
Duff is not afraid to chop a player who he feels isn't buying into his way of doing things. He could be cutting to individuals in interviews with the intent of focusing the mind and he would usually get the positive response he was looking for.

For the 2025 season he attempted to bring in a more possession based style of play which didn't yield the results as expected. A year ago after a loss to Derry City he uncharacteristically blasted the whole team in a post game interview, then resigned a few days later. He admitted that he had got too wrapped up in the team, it was taking over his life and he needed a break.
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He should be a good addition to the coaching staff. However throwing individuals or even the team under the bus in interviews never ends well. I am all for home truths to players in training or in the dressing room, but what is said in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room. Despite some poor results and/or performances you can see KA is annoyed but he has yet to publicly call out individual players. Hopefully Duff can learn that aspect from KA.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Bigbee said:
Dont know if youre being serious but our set pieces have been rather meh last season
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I wasn’t… but Stephen Rice is our Set-Piece Coach, joined at the beginning of last season, so it’s down to him.

I do expect he may’ve been tasked with defending set-pieces as we’ve certainly improved that.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

jbee said:
He was the Pressley replacement.
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Lester has a different job title to Pressley though, he has the same title as Drury did and Duff does. Pressley was never involved in the things that Lester is involved in (despite Lester having some focus on individual development).
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Bigbee said:
Dont know if youre being serious but our set pieces have been rather meh last season
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A very sweeping statement. Attacking and defending long throws we have been one of the best in the league, defending corners again one of the best in the league. However attacking corners has been extremely poor from a scoring prospective, we seem to get first contact fairly often but this hasn't resulted in goals scored.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

jlove said:
I wasn’t… but Stephen Rice is our Set-Piece Coach, joined at the beginning of last season, so it’s down to him.

I do expect he may’ve been tasked with defending set-pieces as we’ve certainly improved that.
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I seem to remember KA mentioning that Kevin O'Connor took the lead in defensive set pieces, whilst Stephen Rice was on attacking set pieces. Although I haven't found their roles and responsibilities on the internet to check if this is correct.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Our next manager once Keith moves on
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

jbee said:
This is what KA said when Lester came in:

"We want Jack to bring this area together and build on the impressive work done by Steven Pressley over the past four years."
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I'm not sure they were ever going to mention Martin Drury's name in that statement a week after he had departed. Lester is far more involved in the coaching team than Pressley ever was, hence his role title.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

brentford born & bred said:
I seem to remember KA mentioning that Kevin O'Connor took the lead in defensive set pieces, whilst Stephen Rice was on attacking set pieces. Although I haven't found their roles and responsibilities on the internet to check if this is correct.
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I think Kev had done both over the years; as you say, those sub-roles are not really documented and may even be more fluid. Jack Lester is individual development coach and Manu goalkeepers but it does seem Keith likes a very co-operative team and may delegate specific areas ad-hoc.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

BFC1997 said:
Really happy with this.

Another Irish bee, and a proper nostalgia hit as I remember that 04-06 Chelsea team very fondly, of course back then we weren’t finishing above them in the league!!

Ironically I think Chelsea would be very very lucky to have him now.
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Why the f*** did you remember anything those park the bus ****s did “fondly”?!. I smell a new fan.
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

itchybowwow said:
I've been living in Ireland for the past 23 years, and as well as holding a Bees season ticket I also have one for Shelbourne FC, attending most games. Duffer was manager here from 2022-2025 and is a legend in these parts who would be welcomed back with open arms should he ever decided to rejoin the club.

Duff changed the league when he was appointed manager in 2022. Contrary to the comment by @WombleBee, the League of Ireland is not a part-time league as all Premier Division clubs are now full time. He raised the profile of the league and helped foster the current professionalism and high level of play that we now see on a weekly basis. He gave fascinating press conferences, was always good for a soundbite, and made it clear in no uncertain terms that the club ran through his veins. The challenge faced here is that any players who show promise and potential are quickly signed by an English or Scottish club, so Duff worked on building a core team of league veterans and young talent. He used his own, and his assistant Joey O'Brien's, tactical skill, coupled with a Clough style man management, to get the best out of his players.

Players would run through brick walls for him, they knew their place, knew when to enjoy themselves, but also knew when to knuckle down and get the job done. Despite not winning a game for 3 months, Shelbourne won the league for the first time in 18 years in 2024 on the last day.

Duff is not afraid to chop a player who he feels isn't buying into his way of doing things. He could be cutting to individuals in interviews with the intent of focusing the mind and he would usually get the positive response he was looking for.

For the 2025 season he attempted to bring in a more possession based style of play which didn't yield the results as expected. A year ago after a loss to Derry City he uncharacteristically blasted the whole team in a post game interview, then resigned a few days later. He admitted that he had got too wrapped up in the team, it was taking over his life and he needed a break.

He admits himself that his passion for Shelbourne alienated him from being welcomed at any other League of Ireland team, so it was obvious that he would be looking abroad for his next job.

What we will get is a experienced coach who has a long record of working well with KA; an experienced man manager who has first hand experience of leading a team to glory on a budget and getting the best out of his players; a coach who has come up through the ranks coaching underage teams and developing talent; and an ex-player with Premier League title winning experience.

As long as he has learned to reign in his mouth a bit he will be a success. I am excited to see how the ideas he has developed over the years can be brought to fruition with a higher calibre of player
Click to expand...
From my own, more limited knowledge, I'd say that summary is bang on the mark - he's got a lot to contribute, which KA surely appreciates.

Though his last days at Shelbourne did raise a few questions, namely in problems "managing upstairs" and a descent into criticising his players publicly, plus an over-sensitivity to criticism. (He can certainly be "spiky", with strong opinions.)

However I don't see that any of those need impede him at BFC, since the "upstairs" at the club is so well-established; while KA is the person who will be speaking publicly about players (Press Conferences etc); and as an Assistant, DD won't be the main man in the spotlight when problems arise, that being for KA to deal with.

Potentially a very good appointment. (y)
 

Damien Duff (First Team Assistant Coach)

Lozza said:
This reflects very well on KA. As the no 1 it must be easy to surround yourself with low profile people who are unlikely to be perceived as long term 'threats'. DD is clearly a charismatic, successful and ambitious guy. Clearly the sort who could be the next Head Coach. KA clearly not phased by that which says a lot. Great appointment all round.
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Fair shout.
 
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