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6 hours ago
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David Moyes has described Séamus Coleman as “the glue that kept Everton together” during their relegation fights and vital to the club’s survival in the Premier League.
The Everton manager’s tribute came after Coleman announced his distinguished 17-year playing career with the club would end when his contract expires next month. Everton have offered the 37-year-old a coaching role from this summer but he wants to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland and may look for another club.
Coleman has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons but has remained a huge influence on standards behind the scenes. The captain galvanised the team during relegation fights under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, and Moyes said Everton’s top-flight status would have been in greater jeopardy but for Coleman.
Moyes, who famously signed the defender for just £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in January 2009, said: “If everything what I’m hearing is true – I wasn’t here at the time but I was still getting some bits and pieces from behind the scenes – then it wouldn’t have been to do with Séamus directly, but to hold together the players when they were probably getting beaten up by losing points, not winning and when I think there was a real split between the supporters and the players, I think the only person that supporters would have really listened to was Séamus Coleman. He was the one who fronted it up, who went out when it was required and who tried to do everything he could to keep it going. He was the glue who just about kept it together at that time.”
Coleman has made 433 appearances for Everton including a club record 372 in the Premier League. He will overtake legendary William Ralph “Dixie” Dean, and Leon Osman, into 10th place on the club’s all-time appearance list should he feature in the final home game of the season, against Sunderland on Sunday.
“After more than 17 years at this great football club, I’ve decided this season will be my last as a player here,” the Everton and Republic of Ireland captain announced. “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.
“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.”
Moyes confirmed the offer of a job at Everton would remain open to Coleman even if he moves elsewhere this summer.
