Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says Seamus Coleman still has a huge part to play for his country on the pitch.
The Killybegs played in last night’s scoreless friendly with North Macedonia, a game he brought his children onto the pitch for.
Many fans thought that might be a sign that Coleman was signing off.
But Hallgrimsson told reporters after the game that he still sees a place for Seamus in the Republic of Ireland team.
He said: “Absolutely, and we had a good talk. And from all of us, we want him to be as long, long as he can.
“Obviously, it’s always going to be his decision and it is connected to what he does at his club, but our desire is to keep him.
“He’s really important for this squad, for the young players and just for anyone to play next to him. It will help that player to grow.
“So, you know, and then obviously he’s just a good player and shows a good performance game after game on an international stage.”
Coleman has yet to issue any statement on his future.
Former Irish international Kenny Cunningham, a pundit for RTE’s during last night’s coverage, said somebody needs to put an arm around Coleman and bring him into the Irish coaching squad if he stops playing.
He argued: “I don’t know Seamus personally.
“It feels to me like the right time for Seamus to take a step down and give the manager and coaching staff the opportunity to integrate another player into that area of the pitch.
“That could be tomorrow. He could put out a little tweet tomorrow to say, ‘that’s it, I’m done.’
“That wouldn’t surprise me, he’s that type of player.
“But as soon as he does that and steps down as a player, he’s got to step straight back in as one of our coaches moving forward as part of our coaching team alongside Paddy McCarthy and John O’Shea.
“He makes us better and Heimir’s making the argument why he should be taken on as a coach.
“He’s brilliant around the place, the players love him, he’s so good one-to-one. He is hugely respected.
“His words carry weight. Some of the top coaches, these are the attributes that they have.
“It would be sad to see him go but it would be a big mistake if, as he was walking out the door as a player, we didn’t grab him back by the scruff of the neck and say, ‘you’re staying here, you’re part of our coaching ticket going further’.”
Republic of Ireland boss Hallgrimsson wants Coleman to play on was last modified: April 1st, 2026 by Staff Writer
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