Sheffield United icon looking to lay down marker after landing new job at sixth-tier strugglers
Sheffield United icon Mark Duffy has returned to management and will now look to make his mark in the National League North
Mark Duffy, the Sheffield United double promotion-winner, has taken the next step in his managerial career after being appointed the permanent manager of Southport. The 40-year-old had been working at the National League North side previously.
After spells as an assistant to Neil Danns and a stint as caretaker manager, Duffy has been handed the job on a permanent basis as Southport look to turn around their fortunes this season.
Duffy, who helped United jump from League One and into the Premier League after joining 10 years ago this summer, has had previous managerial spells at Macclesfield and Warrington Rylands after hanging up his boots.
He admitted that the last couple of weeks had been something of a whirlwind before the club's owners offered him the opportunity to take charge.
“I’m extremely proud to be given the opportunity to do it,” Duffy said. “Obviously it’s been a bit of a whirlwind couple of weeks for everybody involved and I think obviously after the weekend we had a chat with the owners.
“I was honest with them and said we sort of need to make a decision one way or another because we all want what’s best for the club really. They spoke to me yesterday and said they wanted me to do it, and take the club forward. Obviously I will absolutely give my all as always.”
Duffy enjoyed a hugely popular spell at Bramall Lane, helping Sheffield United secure promotion to the Premier League in 2019. “It’s well documented how much I love Neil, but I’ve got to bring my own stamp to it,” he said.
“Obviously we are different people and there will be tweaks. There will be people who go out and obviously, as you see in the last couple of weeks, there’ll be people who’ve come into the building.
“Every manager and coach has got to bring their own style and stamp to it. Obviously personnel-wise I’m a little bit different to Neil, so yeah, it will be different.”