Premier League legend-turned-manager Damien Duff’s hilarious reaction after star player quits team for Love Island
FORMER Chelsea, Fulham and Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff offered a brilliant response after his Shelbourne keeper Scott van der Sluis left the club to go on Love Island.
Duff, 44, took over as the head coach of the League of Ireland side in 2021.
Welshman Van der Sluis, 22, has only played in the cup for the Dublin-based side this season.
But he has now been released as he prepares to enter the Love Island villa as a bombshell.
And when asked about the situation, manager Duff saw the funny side.
He said: “I was shocked and saddened that Scott chose a villa in Mallorca full of beautiful, single women over myself, the staff and the players.
“I thank Scott for his services to Shelbourne FC and we all wish him the very best for the future, whatever that holds.”
Keeper Van der Sluis released a statement after swapping the pitch for the villa.
It read: “I’ve loved my time at Shels. Football is all I’ve ever done, all I’ve ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life.
“Shels are a great club going in the right direction and I look forward to seeing what the lads can achieve.
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“Shels is my club. I’ll be cheering on the lads as a fan when I leave the villa.”
Van der Sluis spent time as an academy prospect at Manchester United, Liverpool and Swansea.
He has also represented Wales at age group level up to the U17s.
Meanwhile, Duff has spent the last eight years coaching in Ireland following his retirement from playing.
He has worked for Shamrock Rovers’ academy and first-team sides, as well as being a coach at Celtic and assistant to Ireland boss Stephen Kenny.
Duff took the top job at Shelbourne in November 2021.
During his playing career, he racked up 100 caps for Ireland, scoring eight goals.
At club level, he won two Premier League titles with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.
He also claimed a League Cup at Stamford Bridge and another while at Blackburn.