For any Scottish person not too familiar with the Irish FA let me tell you in the last year they could give the Scottish FA a run for their money.
After a year of turmoil and almost a complete collapse of the association because of alleged inappropriate financial dealings that went all the way to the top, Irish Football looked to have turned a corner only weeks ago. With new sponsor investment and a rejig of the suits, the association looked like it was getting back on track.
Then the deadly pandemic hit, and the FAI joined all the other countries in the world as they entered the unknown. Yesterday, ex-Celtic defender Mick McCarthy stepped down as manager of the Republic of Ireland. He was due to step down at the end of July. He was replaced with former Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny, this agreement has been in place since McCarthy’s appointment.
Reports today by The42 are suggesting that Celtic’s first-team coach Damien Duff will be approached to come in and join Kenny while holding onto his role at the champions.
“The association’s chief executive, Gary Owens, has already been in talks with the Scottish club to finalise an arrangement, which would likely see Duff continue his role as first-team coach at Celtic while operating as Kenny’s No3.”
Duff has made no secret of the fact that management is his main goal and the newbie coach landed on his feet when Brendan Rodgers left and he got bumped up to first-team duties at Paradise.
