Damien Duff, the former Chelsea star who is now the manager of Shelbourne, has joked about being in trouble with his wife during a “box office” post-match interview.
Duff did not hold back in an honest interview after his side drew 0-0 in a Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers. The 45-year-old got off to a flyer this season as Shelbourne won nine of their opening ten games. But after a dip in form which included back-to-back defeats, the Irishman was asked how he got a good performance out of his boys in the goalless draw.
He responded saying: “Sometimes a bit of tough love, harsh words earlier on in the week. “Later on in the week I probably wasn’t even speaking to them – they weren’t speaking to me. “It’s probably what my wife does to me when I’m in trouble and she gets a better husband at the end of it. “Just honesty. That’s all I’ve ever given them and they’ve bounced back.”
Shelbourne sit top of the League of Ireland, three points ahead of Shamrock Rovers, having played a game more. Duff’s side will be aiming to return to winning ways when they take on St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday, and the former winger warned one of his players, Shane Farrell, that he must improve after his red card.
He added: “Regarding Shane, here, I am always honest privately and in public. He knows he has let everyone down. “I used to laugh about his diet, in year one, the chicken fillet rolls, whatever. “That time has passed now. How you live your life off the pitch, how you train usually gets shown up on a match night and it did. “I get he’s a fan’s favourite and what have you, but he hasn’t deserved to play. “Not one bit. Flashes. I could go on and give you a flash. I’m 45 and I can’t walk. “It’s a 100-minute game nowadays, so flashes aren’t good enough for me.”
