Damien Duff thinks that his Shelbourne side have worked miracles this season but, after the final matchday of the season, the Ireland legend refused to be drawn on whether he will still be in charge at Tolka Park next season.
Having steadied the ship during Shelbourne's first year back in the Premier Division, Duff went above and beyond that this season by leading them to the brink of European qualification.
Though there was a nervy start to Friday night's action, as they fell 2-0 down to Drogheda United, Shels would fight back to win 4-2 and secure fourth place in the table ahead of Dundalk and local rivals Bohemians.
Bohs are up against St. Patrick's Athletic in the cup final next week and, should Pat's run out winners, Shelbourne will be back in Europe in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season.
It's been an excellent rise for Shels under Duff - but their manager was vague when asked about his future on Friday night.
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Damien Duff gives vague answer when asked on Shelbourne future
"I'll be in the Riverside next season or on the bench" 👀
Damien Duff reacts to leading Shelbourne to a potential European spot...#LOI | #DROSHE pic.twitter.com/SHMcUKPCR5— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 3, 2023
On Friday, LOI TV quizzed Shelbourne manager Damien Duff on his future after his side secured fourth in the table on the final night of the season.
Duff, who has been in charge for two years at Tolka Park, did not state outright that he will still be with the club for the 2024 season, and alluded to difficulties getting a new deal over the line:
Shels is in my heart and soul.
I'll be in the Riverside next season or I'll be on the bench. Hopefully the club will be growing, growing, growing, bringing in more quality and more good people in.
That's all there is to say on the matter. We've had five or six months to sort my future out and it hasn't [been sorted].
Shels, proper club, heart and soul is well and truly back in the club. Hopefully it will continue to grow.
I want to be here but it's not a night for talking about it. We've had all season to get things done and it hasn't. It's on the backburner tonight. Tomorrow we'll go to the pub, we'll probably get a little bit drunk. It's in the back of my mind at the minute because I just want to celebrate.
Duff has brought this Shelbourne squad to impressive heights, and fans will surely hope that he will indeed stick around for 2024 to continue his mission to bring the team back to the top.
He would give a pointed message to those who had doubted his ability to get Shelbourne into the top four, saying that the squad had pulled off a "minor miracle" in finishing fourth.
People might have been saying at the start of the season, 'if Shels get fourth, it's a miracle.'
Well, it has happened. So let's see if they keep saying it. I think it is a minor miracle.
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