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The Irishman was highly emotional ahead of March’s friendly against North Macedonia, just five days after the playoff defeat in Prague, leading to speculation the clock may be winding down on his Ireland career, let alone his club career too.<\/p>\n
Though Coleman did not give a definitive 100% answer on the matter on Wednesday, the air in the room in Abbotstown strongly suggested that there is plenty more to come from the Killybegs man in an Irish shirt.<\/p>\n
READ HERE: Cork Teenager Reveals Jose Mourinho’s Influence Ahead Of Ireland Debut<\/a><\/p>\n READ HERE: Nathan Collins Had Brilliant Response To Awkward Keith Andrews Award Question<\/a><\/p>\n S\u00e9amus Coleman opens up on future In an intriguing press conference at FAI HQ on Wednesday, S\u00e9amus Coleman said that the reason he had held off from announcing his retirement from football was his hope to further prolong his career in an Ireland jersey.<\/p>\n “Yeah. That was it,” Coleman said emphatically when asked if the chance of more Ireland caps was the reason for him leaving Everton rather than moving into a coaching role.<\/p>\n You know, 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 perform and he would like to have me around.<\/p>\n So, as soon as the carrot of Ireland got dangled in front of me, that became a massive factor in my decisions and I’m looking forward to the two games now in the summer and having a break and kind of seeing where I go to next or where I stand after that.<\/p>\n Coleman’s dedication to Ireland is second to none, and it would be no surprise to see him continue in the green jersey for another season (or perhaps two).<\/p>\n Sitting alongside Coleman at the press conference was Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson, and the veteran right-back revealed the pivotal role his head coach had played in turning his head.<\/p>\n I think it was just a conversation with the manager on the bus, just after training one day that got me thinking again. I wasn\u2019t necessarily thinking about it, but I also know I have a responsibility to stay fit and stay active and to be performing, because it is not a given, of course.<\/p>\n That is why I am not dead set on what I am going to do, I am going to take my holiday and see what\u2019s out there, but the carrot of the Euros and the manager at the moment wanting me to be around is definitely very tempting.<\/p>\n It’s clear that Coleman wants to keep playing for Ireland, and clear that Hallgr\u00edmsson wants him to remain in the squad<\/a>.<\/p>\n Whether the 37-year-old feels his body can persist is another question, the answer to which will be clearer after this window of internationals.<\/p>\n One man who believes that he can is the great Carlo Ancelotti, who said in 2020<\/a>, “Seamus can play until he’s 40.”<\/p>\n Ancelotti was Coleman’s Everton manager at the time, and Coleman laughed when those quotes were put to him on Wednesday.<\/p>\n If Carlo Ancelotti says it, then yeah. I know he said it, yeah, so I am not going to contradict him. He knows what he\u2019s talking about!<\/p>\n Listen, I have been unfortunate with some injuries so maybe there is not as many miles on the clock as maybe some other 37 year olds. Physically, I do feel really good, I am not up and down like a 24-year-old but I do feel really good, so again, I am not going to look as far ahead as 40.<\/p>\n But it is going to be a nice summer to sit down, relax, see how I feel, reflect and see where we go from there.<\/p>\n If he does persist, where will Coleman end up? The answer is uncertain as things stand.<\/p>\n “No, I’ve just finished up last week and was looking forward to coming into these two games,” Coleman said when asked by\u00a0Balls.ie whether he had spoken to any suitors.<\/p>\n There will be work being done in the background, but as of now I’m looking forward to helping Ireland in the next two games and getting on holiday with my family and just seeing what’s next.<\/p>\n S\u00e9amus Coleman was adamant throughout the press conference that a final decision on retirement has not been made. However, reading between the lines, it’s hard to see a world in which he steps away if his body feels right after a few weeks of rest this summer.<\/p>\n With that desire, it is intriguing to look back on March’s friendly against North Macedonia, when Coleman was visibly emotional during Amhr\u00e1n na bhFiann, having brought his children onto the field as mascots.<\/p>\n At the time, Hallgr\u00edmsson had shot down any suggestion Coleman was on the verge of retirement. However, Coleman admitted on Wednesday that he was prepared for that game to be his last for Ireland.<\/p>\n It was possible, hence why I brought my kids out. I didn\u2019t want to ever miss that opportunity. I walked them out for Everton and I wanted to walk them out for Ireland. Again, you never know so I wanted to walk my kids out. I wasn\u2019t sure at that time really and, again, I\u2019ve got to perform in these two games and see how I feel, see where I\u2019m at.<\/p>\n I had a really honest and good conversation with the manager that definitely changed a few things for me.<\/p>\n The relationship between Coleman and Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson is evidently close, and it could yet be that which tips the scales.<\/p>\n Almost even more encouraging for Ireland fans will be the faith that S\u00e9amus Coleman appears to have in Hallgr\u00edmsson’s future potential with the team.<\/p>\n It’s clear the Ireland veteran believes his head coach is building something special with this group of players, judging by his comments on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The last qualifying campaign was powerful in many ways, in how it gripped the nation again. And I don\u2019t feel like that it is, now that qualifying is done. I know the manager is sitting beside me here, but I do find in his meeting that there has been subtle messages in every single meeting, subtle messages to get into the lads\u2019 heads.<\/p>\n We are building towards something, building towards being consistent, that okay, we missed out on the last one but why did we miss out and we are close. Just subtle messages all the time and hopefully the lads will start qualifying more regularly.<\/p>\n It would be great to be part of the next one, jeez that would be a dream but in football I can\u2019t be seen to be looking that far ahead either.<\/p>\n S\u00e9amus Coleman is not the only person in Ireland who will be dreaming of a world where he walks out with Ireland on home soil for Euro 2028.<\/p>\n For now, he will have to be content with a post-season friendly against Qatar. Kick-off on Thursday is at 7:45pm, with the game live on RT\u00c9 2.<\/p>\n Eoin Harrington reporting from Ireland camp at FAI HQ<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: The Exciting Ireland XI Heimir Should Pick To Start Against Qatar<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"S\u00e9amus](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ireland-fans-will-absolutely-love-s-eacute-amus-coleman-039-s-reason-for-retirement-u-turn.jpg\")
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