Coleman admits he's 'edging towards' retirement

Updated / Tuesday, 27 Oct 2026 14:19

Former Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman gave the strongest indication yet that he may have retired from the game after admitting things were "edging towards" that outcome.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate show on Disney+, Coleman stopped short of fully announcing his retirement but said that the longer he'd been away from the game, the more content he'd become with his absence.

"I had hopes and ambitions of maybe possibly staying playing on," Coleman told Jamie Carragher.

"The longer I've been off and the more I've been around the family, we've been back home for Halloween break with the kids, the more I'm content with what I'm doing at the minute."

Asked whether he was officially retiring from the sport, the Donegal man was unwilling to fully shut the door.

"I don't want to completely draw a line in the sand, as I said I've been keeping fit. But it's edging towards that way - and happily as well.

"Regarding what's next, I've been enjoying family time. I'm doing this [punditry] now and seeing if I enjoy it and see how it goes."

In May, the 38-year old defender confirmed that he would be leaving Everton after 17 years at the club.

He was subsequently offered a coaching position but stressed at the time that he wished to continue playing.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had encouraged Coleman to continue playing with a view to still being available for the Euro 2028 campaign.

Coleman, excluded from the squad for the September 2025 international window, was dramatically returned to the starting line-up for the remainder of the qualification campaign.

His involvement had an inspirational effect, with Ireland winning three of their last four group games, Coleman starting in the famous victories over Portugal and Hungary in November last year.

He later played more than 90 minutes in Ireland's agonising play-off exit on penalties against Czechia in March.

Coleman, whose sole appearance at a major tournament came at Euro 2016, passed up the chance to announce his retirement in Prague and the initial indications were that he would continue.

However, he has not signed for a club over the off-season and was not included in the squad for the Republic of Ireland's recent international window.

Hallgrimsson has since said he would offer Coleman a coaching role with the international set-up should he choose to retire from playing.

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