Seamus Coleman will officially leave Everton when his contract expires, and fans now await his next move.
It was announced on Friday that Seamus Coleman is to finish up at Everton after 17 years at the club, when his contract expires at the end of the current season.
Coleman joined Everton in January 2009 from Sligo Rovers, famously costing just £60,000.
Let us know your message to Seamus as he calls it a day as an Everton player… 🥲
The Irishman went on to become an Everton legend for his outstanding service, and no doubt today there will be tributes paid to him during the final home game of the season against Sunderland.
It remains to be seen if he’ll have any kind of playing involvement.
But regardless, fans will show their love and appreciation. Fittingly, the 1878s have encouraged fans to sing Coleman’s song during the 60th minute of the game.
And the question now is what next for Coleman?
Alan Stubbs believes he shouldn’t rush into decision after Everton exit
Coleman has not said he’s retiring.
So either he will leave Everton to go and continue playing at another club.
Or he will take up a non-playing role at Everton, with David Moyes already admitting the club have offered Coleman all kinds of roles.
Alan Stubbs spoke about Coleman on BBC Radio Merseyside, and believes he ought not to rush into coaching, encouraging him to weigh up his options.
He said: “Whatever Seamus wants to do, he’s entitled to do it.
“I wish him all the best with whatever he wants to do. If he wants to drift away and go back to Ireland then all I would say to that is ‘Thank you and enjoy’. If he wants to spend more time with his family back in Ireland, then he deserves that.
“I’ll say in terms of the coaching role, I would say take your time, because if the coaching role is there now, it’ll be there in 12 months time. I’d like to wish him all the best. Enjoy retirement. Go and have a long hard think about what you want to do next.
“Even if he wants to take six months, nine months, 12 months, I think whenever he decides to make that decision, I think there’ll be an opportunity in a coaching role at whatever capacity at Everton, no matter what.
Stubbs makes a good point.
Realistically, Coleman is basically guaranteed a coaching role at Everton and he doesn’t have to take that up this summer.
Moyes stated recently that Coleman actually hadn’t been ‘mad’ on the idea of coaching, which perhaps indicates he could play for another team first.
Coleman has said he’ll take a nice long holiday to reflect on his time as an Everton player, and we’ll then see what he decides to do.
It’s not out of the question though that Coleman could go elsewhere first, and no one should begrudge him that.
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