Seamus Coleman has lifted the lid on talks he had with Sheffield United after leaving Everton
Everton icon Seamus Coleman has revealed he had talks with Sheffield United over the summer - but felt it “all happened too soon”.
The 37-year-old left Everton at the end of last season having made 435 appearances for the club over a 17-year period.
Sheffield United were credited with interest in the Republic of Ireland right-back, but ended up signing his compatriot Matt Doherty.
Seamus Coleman is a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Everton.placeholder image
Seamus Coleman is a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Everton. | Ben Whitley/PA Wire
Seamus Coleman on Sheffield United talks
Coleman has now lifted the lid on his talks with the Blades, praising manager Chris Wilder while conceding the move was not right for him.
As reported by the Irish Times, he said: “I met the manager and I went down there, [but] it just felt a bit soon after leaving Everton. It all happened too soon. I didn’t want to keep them hanging because I didn’t want to mess them around, you know, they’re trying to get their players in, so I just went back to Ireland.
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“The manager was great. I went down and met him, he was really, really good – a little bit old school, and the club was a good set-up as well. But I didn’t want to keep them hanging on, and decided it just wasn’t right, [so] went home and just switched off.
“I’m not stressing either way about it, to be honest. I’m kind of laid back. I had a good run, it was more so just the Irish stuff for me really that has put a bit of doubt in my mind.”
Seamus Coleman’s future
Coleman may not have pitched up at Bramall Lane, but still feels he has something to offer at club level.
He said: “I’ll be making a decision very very soon. Again, if it wasn’t for the Ireland stuff, my decision would have been made.
Seamus Coleman held talks with Sheffield United over the summer.placeholder image
Seamus Coleman held talks with Sheffield United over the summer. | Peter Byrne/PA Wire
“At my age, even in the last two/three years at Everton, I’ve not played consistently or regularly, some injuries and then just not getting picked as well, but I always felt like I probably wasn’t hanging around there like a bad smell, because I could influence dressing rooms and players.
“I felt, at Everton, I was around for long enough that I could have an impact on the dressingroom, so even something like that going forward... I know I can help players, I know I can help improve players, I know I can talk to players. I’m not going to play 30-40 games there, but I know I can come in and help.”