Heimir Hallgrímsson has revealed that Séamus Coleman was part of the decision that saw him left out of the Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Coleman’s future is up in the air, with the 37-year-old still without a club after calling time on his 17-year stint with Everton earlier this year.
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The Donegal man recently told Roy Keane that he had made the decision to retire “100%,” until speaking to Hallgrímsson about the potential to represent Ireland on home soil at the 2028 Euros.
Many had, then, expected Coleman to be included in the Ireland squad named by Hallgrímsson on Thursday morning, but the veteran’s name was nowhere to be found.
When pushed on the matter by Balls.ie at Thursday’s press conference, Hallgrímsson revealed that Coleman had led the decision to sit out this camp in favour of giving younger players a chance.
Séamus Coleman gesture was mark of the man
14 October 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, left, and Seamus Coleman after their side’s victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Heimir Hallgrímsson addressed the media on Thursday after naming his Ireland squad, and explained the absence of Séamus Coleman from the squad.
Hallgrímsosn said that both Coleman and Robbie Brady were in the same boat, and were absent as both are free agents with limited football in their legs. However, it is his hope that they will continue to play at club level and that their time in an Ireland jersey is not over.
We have Séamus and Robbie neither of them with a club. So, for that reason, we leave them out,
My intention, in whatever shape or form that will be, he will be with us in the future, hopefully as a player. His intention is to play, he is keeping fit but he hasn’t been training with a club or with a team.
Hallgrímsson also revealed that, though he believes Coleman will be available for future camps, the Ireland stalwart himself was the one to make the call that he should sit out this camp in favour of other players.
We felt, together, it was more his decision that it was appropriate he would sit out this one. Mostly because he felt it was unfair to other players that he would be picked at this moment.
A mark of the man.
Ireland fans will certainly hope that they have not seen the last of Séamus Coleman in the green jersey. By the sounds of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s comments on Thursday, we could well see him back in November.
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Ireland squad announcement at FAI HQ