Departing Everton captain Seamus Coleman has been backed to join one of the Blues’ Premier League rivals next season.
Coleman announced on May 15 that he was calling time on his Everton playing career following his move from Sligo Rovers in January 2009 for a now fabled ‘sixty grand’ fee. The man from Killybegs, County Donegal, said: “After more than 17 years at this great football club, I've decided this season will be my last as a player here. “I want to thank the fans for their unbelievable support. You’ve helped me in more ways than you could imagine.
“I've always tried my best to put Everton Football Club first and you all mean the world to me. I live in the city – I see you all daily – and I’ve taken your love of the football club back into the dressing room to explain to the lads how much Everton means to the people.
“I also thank my managers, teammates and all the staff at Everton. They’ve seen me happy, sad, angry, emotional, but the greater cause has always been Everton Football Club. Thank you for making me a better captain and teammate. It’s an incredible football club with incredible people. “Obviously, after such a big decision, I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what’s next for me and my family. My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I’ve got a huge love for Ireland as well. “The club have been unbelievable with me. They’ve offered me an opportunity to stay on at the football club. The manager and staff have been great, and I think with it being such an important decision over my future, I’m going to take a nice, long holiday and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer.”
The 37-year-old subsequently came on as a substitute against Sunderland to knock former team-mate Leon Osman and the club’s all-time leading scorer Dixie Dean out of the top 10 for appearances and after also coming on against Tottenham Hotspur he finishes on 435 outings for the Blues, including a record 374 in the Premier League, some 20 ahead of another ex-colleague Tim Howard.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference for the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Qatar on Friday when he played the full 90 minutes at right wing-back, Coleman said: “The carrot of the Euros and the manager at the moment wanting me to be around is definitely very tempting.”
Now, his former international team-mate Shane Long reckons Coleman could continue in the Premier League by being reunited with his former Everton manager Frank Lampard at newly promoted Coventry City.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football betting, the 39-year-old who was capped 88 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring 17 international goals, said: “He’s been linked with Wrexham, but Coventry City could be a smart move for Seamus. He can definitely carry on, it just depends on Seamus and how his body feels.
“He had a bad leg break when I was playing with him for Ireland and has had a few niggling injuries since. He constantly works to return to fitness, plays, and then gets injured again, so I’m sure he’ll do what’s best for him, his body, and his family.
“Seamus is one of the most genuine people you’d ever meet, everything about him is focused on wanting the team and the club to do well, and he never puts himself ahead of the team.
“He’s a great leader as well. I’m sure any team promoted into the Premier League would love to have him for his experience alone and his leadership skills.
“I’ve yet to meet a person who has a bad word to say about Seamus Coleman, he’s that sort of character.”
Indeed, it was while he was in charge at Goodison Park in 2022 that Lampard, who won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups a Champions League and UEFA Europa League as a player, declared Coleman to be “the best man I’ve ever met.”
Long said: “I’m sure Frank Lampard has seen firsthand what an amazing guy he is. I’ve never seen such a gap between the Championship and the Premier League, teams that come up really struggle to stay because of that divide.
“Having someone like Seamus in the dressing room to provide that experience and keep the group going would be vital. It’s like having your own little manager on the pitch, Seamus looks after all of that.
“He obviously has quality as well, if he is fit enough to play, he is an addition to any side.”