Seamus Coleman has shared a key factor behind his decision to leave Everton.
On Sunday, fans watched Seamus Coleman take to the field for the final time as an Everton player, when he came on as a second-half substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.
What should be next for Seamus Coleman after his current Everton contract? 🤔
Can he really still provide an impact on the pitch… 😬
He leaves after 17 years as a first-team player, and the tributes have been pouring in for him ever since the announcement dropped ahead of Everton’s final home game against Sunderland.
Coleman has barely played over the last couple of seasons.
But clearly he still feels he has something to offer as a player, which came across when he spoke about his reasons for leaving during a Republic of Ireland press conference.
Seamus Coleman left Everton to boost Republic of Ireland playing prospects
It was not unexpected that Coleman called time on his Everton playing career.
Injuries in recent years limited him to the role of bit-part player, and some had wondered if he would actually retire and go into coaching from next season.
But Moyes did say recently that Coleman wasn’t currently ‘big’ on coaching. And it seems he perhaps still isn’t.
Coleman has been speaking about his Everton exit ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada, and admitted playing for his country was a big reason behind him leaving Everton.
He told reporters (via John Fallon of The Examiner): “I think if we’d got to a World Cup maybe things would be different. But I spoke to the manager and he said if I can be fit and well and performing he would like to have me around.
“So as soon as the carrot of Ireland was dangled in front of me, that became a massive factor in my decisions.
“I’m looking forward to the two games now and the summer and having a break, and kind of seeing where I go to next or where I stand after that.”
Coleman says has not yet made any decisions regarding his next move after leaving Everton, adding (via RTE Sport): “Family first, football second. That’s the only two things I’ve got going for me.
“Family will absolutely come into it. I honestly have not thought too much about a club or what’s next in that regard. I’m looking forward to these two Ireland games. In football, you never know what’ll happen. I’ll just see what’s next, if it feels right…”
It will be fascinating to see where Coleman goes next.
Clearly there are no plans to retire just yet, with playing for Ireland still a big motivating factor for him.
He obviously recognises that he needs to be playing more in order to still make an impact for his country, so it’s understandable he called time on his Everton playing career.
Hopefully wherever he goes to next will be a success for him. Because he absolutely deserves that.
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