CELTIC MANAGER NEIL Lennon has confirmed that Damien Duff will leave the club when his contract expires next month.
The former Republic of Ireland winger has been working as first-team coach with the Glasgow outfit since Lennon returned for a second spell as manager in February 2019.
However, it was revealed in April that he will serve as assistant manager to new Ireland boss Stephen Kenny from 1 August.
Lennon has told the Daily Record that Celtic must now find a replacement for Duff, who will focus on his duties with Ireland instead of combining both roles.
“I spoke to Damien on Monday and he was in good spirits, but he’ll join the FAI,” said Lennon, whose side were confirmed as Scottish Premiership champions for the ninth consecutive season earlier this week.
“It’s a blow because he contributed immensely and personally I got on great with him. He’s in his formative years as a coach but he made a huge contribution and there was a good chemistry there. So he’ll be difficult to replace, that’s for sure.
“We were waiting on everything getting called first, then we’ll look to replace him, but it’s not at the forefront of our minds.
“Damien’s at home in Ireland but his contract doesn’t run out until the end of next month. If we come back on 10 June we might have him until the end of the month and that might buy us some time to look to bring someone in or promote from within.”
Duff had initially taken up a role with Celtic’s reserve team, having started his coaching career in the underage set-up at Shamrock Rovers, where he finished his playing career.
Originally published at 11.32
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I’m genuinely excited by our new backroom team and players coming through, let’s hope it all falls into place! COYBIG
Images of the sideline celebrations at Tynecastle after Eddies late winner will live long in the memory. Nothing but good stories about Duffers influence/presence at Celtic – would have liked to see him stay on longer but this is a big win the international side. COYBIG
@Eoin Cashman: by all accounts he’s very highly thought of at the club, and well respected by the players. Apparently brings some real innovation. Sad to see him leave the club, but excited to see what he’ll bring to Ireland
@Eoin Cashman: sad to see him leave the club, can’t see why work wise he couldn’t have done both. Best of luck to him with Ireland
@Bill Clay:
Agree. International coach is a part time role
@Seamus McSpud: If he stayed with Celtic and it didn’t go well for him with Ireland, some might claim he wasn’t fully committed to the Ireland set up.
Did he ever apologise to the fans over his comments at HT in the home Georgia game? I loved Richard Sadlier standing up for the fans tennis ball protest that night. He really put Duff in his place.
@Edwardson Mike: apologise for voicing an opinion?
@Alan Roddy: I think you should look at the interview again. The protest was instrumental in removing JD. Even our captain threw a tennis ball from the six yard box towards the middle of the pitch to extend the protest and applauded the fans. Duff was way out of order and quickly put in his place by Sadlier.
@Edwardson Mike: apologies. You’re correct. Damien Duff isn’t entitled to criticise a protest that involved a section of fans throwing tennis balls into a a pitch, resulting in a fine for the FAI.
@Alan Roddy: If all fans were like you JD would still be in charge.
I think duffer is going to have a very successful coaching career
@jackamy: Hopefully, can’t stand him as a pundit
@Fergus O’Connor: you’re right, very hard to listen to him
@jackamy: Coaching career ,my arse ! Running around in circles like he did for Ireland etc and no goals ! All smoke and mirrors, but he obviously conned a lot of people who do not judge performance on results !
@Gerry Mc Carthy: everybody stop, the REAL expert is in the house
@Gerry Mc Carthy: you know nothing about football.
@Fergus O’Connor: I agree he is so negative as a pundit
Can’t stand him
Let’s Go!!!!
Duff was at Celtic? Huh..
@Seán Corcoran: in fairness to him he really stepped up to the mark when Rodgers abandoned ship taking the back room staff with him. A great addition to the Irish squad………
@Seán Corcoran: yeah