The former Ireland and Chelsea winger was on RTE tonight for the Champions League coverage and was asked the big question and he replied:
“I appreciate that you have to ask but I really don’t have a lot to say on the matter,” he told Darragh Moloney.
“I know I’ve made the right decision because not one day has passed where I’ve regretted it.
"I would have been unhappy myself if I stayed" – Damien Duff speaks about his decision to leave Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland set-up #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/oNJ8uBhF8P
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 16, 2021
“I know it’s not ideal for the manager but at the same time, it’s a chance for them to bring in a better coach than me. He’s done it already on the goalkeeping side, brought in Dean Kiely, a great guy who will bring great energy to the squad. He’s a top coach, coaching at the top level in the Premier League every week.
“The only person who lost out really by walking away is me. You’re soon forgotten. Staff, players, I’m sure they don’t have a problem with it – it’s all water under the bridge.
“I’ve given up – because I’ve walked away – the chance to represent my country, which is a massive honour, the chance to coach elite players which does come around very often. I’ve probably lost a lot of focus as well – a lot of ex-players will tell you that you need that in your life.
“I felt strongly about things and I would have been unhappy with myself if I stayed.”
“I know football people want to know but at the same time… I just want to keep it private,” he continued.
“Even when you guys asked me two weeks ago to do the show tonight, you told me then ‘We’re going to have to ask you’ and I was like ‘Ah, really?’
Damien Duff rejects any criticism from those who feel that he may have let his country down when deciding to walk away from the Republic of Ireland set-up #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/dGisAcQdVT
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 16, 2021
“I can’t hide away in my house forever because I’ve left the FAI. No way. People will say that I’ve let my country down – I’ve let nobody down here.
“I’ll continue to dedicate myself to Irish football in a different capacity by coaching young players and improving young players, hopefully improving myself as well.
“All I’ve ever done since I wore the Irish shirt from U14 or U15 is dedicate myself to Irish football, and I have never left my country down, and I will continue to work for Irish football in a different way.”