CELTIC coach Damien Duff will be part of Stephen Kenny’s revamped Republic of Ireland management team.
It was announced on Saturday that former Dunfermline boss Kenny was replacing Mick McCarthy with immediate effect - and he has wasted no time in assembling his backroom staff.
Duff, who was appointed as the Parkhead club's reserve team manager by Brendan Rodgers last January before being promoted to first-team duties by Neil Lennon, will officially take up the post on August 1.
He is expected to juggle his international commitments with his ongoing role at Celtic.
Ex-Ireland stalwart and highly-rated coach Keith Andrews will accompany Kenny in making the step up from working with the under-21 squad.
🇮🇪 Damien Duff has agreed to join the Republic of Ireland coaching staff from the 1st August. He will continue in his role as first team coach at #CelticFC. https://t.co/O8RTDXgVJ3
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) April 5, 2020
And the Football Association of Ireland interim chief executive Gary Owens lavished praise on 100-times capped Duff, stating: “The calibre of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team is top class and these are great additions to our senior team coaching staff.
“Keith and Damien served Ireland so well as players and their experience will be such an addition to our senior squad’s support team.”
Ireland travel to Slovakia for a crunch Euro 2021 playoff tie in Duff’s first match as part of the new-look dugout team, albeit uncertainty surrounds when that will be played.
The victors will then face the winners of Bosnia’s clash with Northern Ireland for a place in next summer’s showpiece.
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