SHELBOURNE fans have spotted an unusual set of odds given by a bookmaker for the next permanent Shelbourne manager.
A bookmaker had Damien Duff as the favourite candidate to fill the role he has just left vacant as Shelbourne boss at 2/1 odds.
The list contains many names that would be familiar with Shelbourne and LOI fans[/caption]
The above bookmaker has Duff as the favourite to return, while fellow ex-Shelbourne bosses Kevin Doherty, Ian Morris, Pat Fenlon and Dermot Keely are also in the running.
Ex-Shelbourne players Jim Crawford, Ciaran Kilduff, Jim Gannon, Stuart Byrne, Stephen Elliott, Pat Scully and Paul Doolin also make up the bizarre table.
The former Ireland international suddenly stepped down as first team manager on Sunday just a day before Shelbourne’s tough fixture against Waterford and a few weeks before their Champions League meeting with Linfield.
The decision has come as a shock to the League of Ireland community and even gained international media attention.
League rivals Alan Reynolds and Stephen Bradley were most complementary of the 2024 league winner as he resigned from his role, saying: “He was fantastic for the league.”
Shelbourne fans were left amused by the bookmakers odds, one fan saying: “Honestly that 2/1 wouldn’t surprise me.”
Another fan persisted: “Duff at 2/1 are great odds.” While most fans have another League of Ireland manager in mind saying “it’s got to be Kevin Doherty, you would think.
His assistant manager Joey O’Brien has taken the interim reigns as the North Dublin club look to find a permanent replacement to the League of Ireland’s golden goose.
O’Brien’s first match came just 24 hours after he was named interim boss. Despite a strong team performance his Shelbourne side could only come away with one point from the Regional Sports Centre against Waterford.
The former West Ham star spoke about Duff’s exit after the game saying: ““It was a shock for everyone in the football club. From a personal point of view, I absolutely loved the manager. He will always be my manager.”
Duff’s last game in charge of the ‘auld reds’ came on Friday in a 1-0 loss at home to Derry in the league.
Despite his outrage in his post match interviews nobody had anticipated his resignation over the weekend.
