MICHAEL Duff said an 'emotional' goodbye to Burnley yesterday as he prepares for life in the dugout with Cheltenham Town.

Duff's 14-year association with the Clarets as a player and a coach has come to an end as he heads back 'home' to take over as manager at the club where his playing career began.

On Wednesday he was back at the Barnfield Training Centre for the final time, saying goodbye to the staff he's worked alongside, the players and the 'best English manager in the country' in Sean Dyche.

Asked about his time at Burnley ending, Duff joked: "I won’t miss the M66, I’ve done that road a few times in the last 14 years."

He added: "It will be surreal, I’ve just seen all the staff and the players to say goodbye.

"It’s more weird for me because I’ve only left one club before, I’ve done this once before in 20-odd years.

"But it’s part of the game, it’s good to see the lads and the staff and say your goodbyes. You could say it was emotional."

Duff played 337 times for the Robins before his £30,000 move to the Clarets in 2004.

After hanging up his playing boots in the summer of 2016 Duff moved into the coaching ranks but admits the decision to swap Turf Moor for Whaddon Road was a difficult one.

"The opportunity came to me rather than it being the right time. But football isn’t idealistic, you can’t pick and choose what club and when," the 40-year-old said.

"There were lots of conversations with family and friends and other people in the game we came to the conclusion that it was a good opportunity to go home.

"It’s a club I know well. Leaving where I am here, the facilities here, the Premier League status, the relationship I’ve got with what I believe to be the best English manager in the country, you don’t walk away from that on a whim.

"It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, the last four or five days particularly. It’s been enjoyable, it’s opened my eyes to a few things.

"I’ve had texts from people I’ve not heard from for a long time, I didn’t know I knew as many people that have text me."