It’s blow to lose Damien
Neil Lennon will start the hunt for a new first-team coach after confirming the blow of losing Damien Duff to Ireland.
Duff stepped up to the top-team set-up after the departure of Brendan Rodgers last season and played a key role in landing nine-in-a-row.
But the 100-cap
Irish star was appointed to new Republic of Ireland gaffer Stephen Kenny’s backroom team, which left a question mark over his future.
Duff, whose contract runs until the end of next month, could have potentially combined roles but Lennon says he is now on the lookout for a replacement.
Lennon admitted they could promote from within, which could even open the door for Darren O’Dea to make the same step up from the youths as Duff and join former team-mate John Kennedy. The Hoops gaffer said: “I spoke to Damien on Monday and he was in good spirits but he’ll join the FAI.
“It’s a blow because he contributed immensely and personally I got on great with him.
“He’s in his formative years as a coach but he made a huge contribution and there was a good chemistry there. So he’ll be difficult to replace, that’s for sure.
“We were waiting on everything getting called first then we’ll look to replace him but it’s not at the forefront of our minds.
“Damien’s at home in Ireland but his contract doesn’t run out until the end of next month.
“If we come back on June 10 we might have him until the end of the month and that might buy us some time to look to bring someone in or promote from within.”