A grounding at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers’ learning tree is an excellent early step for any coach.
So it is little wonder that experience has helped one man in particular tear it up in his first management job as a gaffer in his own right.
Irishman and former Hoops coach Damien Duff has been working at Shelbourne since 2021 after leaving Parkhead and, after stepping out on his own, he has gone from strength to strength.
That proved this weekend to be exactly the case when the 45-year-old former LOI personality of the year nomination helped guide the Auld Reds to their first League of Ireland Premier Division victory in 18 years.
It was as dramatic as it was tense at times inside the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as Duff’s side chased a late goal knowing a win was necessary as rivals Shamrock Rovers led their own fixture.
And there were jubilant scenes for Duff, his players and staff when Harry Wood struck just five minutes from time to seal all three points and ensure they went home with the trophy in hand.
Duff has had a strong coaching school since he retired from playing back in 2015 when he, somewhat ironically, left Shamrock Rovers.
Damien Duff won the League of Ireland Premier Division with Shelbourne
He would go on to work with Rodgers in Glasgow before the Northern Irishman would infamously depart for Leicester City.
Duff would stick around to become first-team coach under Neil Lennon and alongside John Kennedy before he, too, would ultimately decide to leave for pastures new.
Duff worked with Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon before leaving to join Republic of Ireland’s staff
He became Stephen Kenny’s assistant with the Republic of Ireland before he would exit and has been plying his trade with Shelbourne since.
This weekend represents Duff’s third year anniversary as boss at the club – a move that was considered a gamble back in 2021 when the club made the move to bring the former Chelsea winger in.
Duff also referenced Celtic recently as he secured his club’s first European qualification in 18 years.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
