Former Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff has left Stephen Kenny’s backroom team effective immediately.
Duff was part of Kenny’s backroom team alongside former international teammate Keith Andrews since April when Mick McCarthy’s tenure as Irish manager came to an end.
The former Chelsea, Newcastle, Fulham, Blackburn and Shamrock Rovers winger had previously left his role as a coach with Neil Lennon’s Celtic side to take up his new position with the Irish national team.
There was no reason given as to why Duff has decided to leave his role in Kenny’s backroom team. In a statement from the FAI, Duff said: “I want to thank Stephen Kenny for the opportunity he gave me to coach with the senior Ireland team and I wish Stephen, Keith and the players all the very best of luck for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.”
The news of Duff’s exit will come as a serious blow to Irish manager Kenny as he prepares for Ireland’s first World Cup qualifier in March. Kenny has failed to win any of his first eight games in charge of ‘The Boys in Green’ and his team have only scored one goal during his time in charge, in the new boss’ first game against Bulgaria. The former Dundalk boss will now have to fill the position formerly held by Duff. It is not yet known who Kenny’s preference for the role is.
