OFFICIAL: Michael Duff named new Cheltenham Town manager

 Michael Duff was a member of the Town team that progressed from the Southern League to Football League One in five remarkable years under the management of Steve Cotterill.

He also has his UEFA A license and has been managing Burnley's academy since his retirement in 2016. 

Duff made 384 first team appearances for 'The Clarets' and won three promotions to the Premier League, the last of them in 2016 at the age of 38 before retiring to concentrate on a second career in coaching and management. He also won 24 Northern Ireland international caps including a substitute appearance in the 1-0 win over England at Windsor Park in 2005 and he is one of the few players to have made league appearances at each of the top eight divisions of the English football pyramid.

“I can’t wait to get started back at Cheltenham Town,” Duff told the club's official website.

“It’s a big step for me to leave a job where I was settled, working with a great manager at a Premier League club, but I feel that the time is right now.

“It is a fantastic opportunity and I would like to thank the Board for the faith that they have shown in me. I know that they have worked very hard to get the deal done and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

“I only played professionally for two clubs so obviously Cheltenham Town is a club that I know well and one that is very close to my heart.

“It is also an opportunity to move my family back home and I’m looking forward to meeting the staff and players on Tuesday,” he added.