Damien Duff compares coaching to being in doghouse with wife in 'box office' interview
Former Premier League ace Damien Duff left viewers thoroughly entertained after giving a fabulously frank post-match interview in which he compared football management to life as a husband
Damien Duff says being a manager is like being in the doghouse with the missus.
The former Chelsea star, who manages League of Ireland club Shelbourne, has gone semi-viral after giving one the best interviews you'll hear all week after his side's 0-0 draw in their top-of-the-table clash with Shamrock Rovers on Monday.
After winning six of their first seven league games of the season (which started in February), Duff's side are now winless in five. That said, yesterday's result means they're still top of the table, though Rovers will go above them if they win their game in hand.
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Speaking after the stalemate, Duff, 45, explained that he gave his struggling stars the cold shoulder in an effort to boost performance levels, adding that he learned the trick from his wife.
"Sometimes a bit of tough love [is necessary]. Harsh words [were said] earlier on in the week. Later on in the week I wasn't even speaking to them [the players], and they weren't speaking to me," he said. "It's what my wife does to me when I'm in trouble, and she gets a better husband in the end."
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The Irishman then turned his attention to Shelbourne midfielder Shane Farrell, who was sent off for a second bookable offence with 15 minutes left, and didn't hold back. "He deserved to go off. I don't think he played with intensity, he hasn't played with intensity for a long, long time.
"How you live your life off the pitch, it ends up biting you back on the pitch. So poor from him, he's cost his team-mates."
Duff took charge of Shelbourne in 2021, his first senior management job, just after the Dublin club sealed promotion back to the top flight. The following season they finished seventh (out of 10 teams), and in 2023 they ended up just 12 points off the top in fourth. They're now early favourites to win the title for the first time since 2006, though still have two-thirds of the season left to play.
As a player, Duff is best remembered for his three-year stint at Chelsea, but also played for Newcastle, Blackburn, and Fulham. After breaking through at Ewood Park, he was one of the first players to join the Chelsea's Russian revolution when Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and went on to win two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.
He also formed a deadly wing partnership with a young Arjen Robben, helping Jose Mourinho's side forge a reputation as one of the most feared teams on the planet. Duff left for Newcastle in 2006, a decision he recently admitted he regrets, and later joined Fulham after the Magpies were relegated in 2009.
After five successful years back in west London the winger joined Melbourne City, and then moved to Shamrock Rovers before hanging up his boots in 2015. He also earned 100 caps for Ireland and starred at both the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2012 for his country.