Merlin Rohl was speaking after Seamus Coleman made his last appearance for Everton on home soil against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Merlin Roehl of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Iliman Ndiaye during the Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Merlin Rohl celebrates scoring his first goal for Everton, who were unable to build on it as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Sunderland (Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Merlin Rohl has opened up on what makes Seamus Coleman so special and revealed the message he continually drills into Everton’s players. Sunday’s defeat to Sunderland marked Coleman’s last appearance for the Blues on home soil.
Coleman will call time on his 17-year playing career at Everton at the end of the season and is to spend the summer weighing up whether to move elsewhere or accept David Moyes’ offer of a coaching role. The Republic of Ireland international, who joined Everton for a bargain £60,000 in 2009 from Sligo Rovers, was a late substitute for the Blues as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.
Coleman’s influence at the club has long been praised, with Moyes even going as far as saying on Friday that he believes, without the standards set by the 37-year-old, the club could have tumbled towards oblivion.
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And Rohl, who opened the scoring in Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to the Black Cats, said: “I reflect today a lot on Seamus’ career, and that has been in my thoughts the last couple of minutes because he is such a great human being and such a great player.
“Seamus Coleman is such a legend and such a nice guy who looks out for everyone in the team and is a real difference maker who is always giving feedback, positive or negative, and looking out for everyone. He is unbelievable.”
Before he added: “I think I talked a little bit about it at the beginning. He's a legend and that is what he is. He is a human being that is outstanding and I’ve never met anyone like Seamus before.
“He’s a great character and, of course, a change for the dressing room that he is leaving, but I think everyone has a great idol that he can look up to and see how you can be a captain for this beautiful team.”
Seamus Coleman following his final appearance for Everton on home soil(Image: Getty Images)
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Asked what Coleman’s message to his team-mates is, Rohl revealed: “He says that you need to be accountable for yourself and you need to work hard every day in training and that is what the club is about.
“You need to work hard, and if you train hard, then you will see this on a matchday. That is what he is giving every day in the training sessions.
“He runs the most every day in training and I am trying to beat him, but it is really hard. He’s unbelievable.”
Everton’s European chances are all but over after Rohl’s goal was cancelled out by second-half strikes from Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor.
But Rohl’s first-half strike saw him become the first German player to score for Everton, and he admitted: “I feel a great sense of pride to score for this great club.
“I am surprised I am the first German; it took a little bit of luck, the same as against Man City, but that is football. I take it every time because sometimes it can go in the opposite direction.
“I’m really happy to score a goal and really happy to celebrate it with the fans, but I am also disappointed that we couldn’t get the win over the line.”
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