Damien Duff has revealed that he’s ‘absolutely gutted’ to be leaving Celtic and stressed that the decision stemmed from wanting to do right by his family.
It was reported in May that Duff would be departing Celtic after working as a first-team coach under Neil Lennon since the Northern Irishman’s return in February of 2018.
The former Republic of Ireland winger had previously been reserve coach at Lennoxtown prior to Lennon’s return as manager.
In the role, Duff played his part in helping the Hoops to a ninth-successive Premiership title last month.
In doing so, Celtic are now set up nicely for a historic 10-in-a-row next season, and the 41-year-old has admitted that he’s devastated over the fact he won’t be there for it.
He told Celtic’s website: “The role I had at Celtic was my dream job. I’m absolutely gutted, devastated to be leaving, especially at this time, when we’re going for 10.
“It was absolutely a family decision. There is no job in the world that would have taken me away from the role I was in. I’d love to be a brilliant coach one day, but I think it’s more important at the minute that I’m just a brilliant dad, I guess.”
Duff will be working alongside Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny as his assistant for the foreseeable future.
And Lennon is under no illusions that the former Premier League winner leaves big boots, saying that Duff will be ‘difficult to replace‘ last month.
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