Coleman 'still thinking about' staying on with Ireland

Séamus Coleman is still keeping the door open on a return to action at club and international level.

The 38-year-old, currently without a club, was not included in Heimir Hallgrimsson's UEFA Nations League squad for the quartet of matches in September and October.

The indications at the time were that Coleman was on the lookout for a new club in order to prolong his chances of being involved at Euro 2028. Hallgrimsson has shared how keen he is on keeping Coleman in his plans.

However the former Everton captain's comments in recent weeks have cast doubt on that possibility.

Last week in conversation with Jamie Carragher on the The Overlap Fan Debate, Coleman hinted that he was leaning towards retirement, saying: "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."

On Monday, Coleman appeared as a pundit for Sky Sports' coverage of Newcastle United v Everton with speculation rife that he was about to confirm his retirement. Instead, he underlined his stance that nothing has been decided.

"I said I've not drawn a line in the sand completely on it because I know the Ireland manager would be keen to have me around if I was fit, and obviously that's still something I'm thinking about," said the Donegal man.

"But I'm really enjoying not doing anything at the minute, being with my family and enjoying these little bits (of punditry) as well."

Meanwhile, reacting to the veteran's comments from last week, Keith Treacy believes Coleman is increasingly likely to call it a day despite the temptation of a Euro 2028 appearance on home soil.

"I think once you come out of those footballing circles and like Séamus is saying, he's had Halloween at home with the family, you do start to soften," he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"I was one that was saying we need to keep Séamus around for as long as possible. I have Euro 2028 in mind and thinking of being a host nation, and Séamus is a leader, we need him there.

"I think it's a sign of how well this Irish group have done over the last couple of months that I can probably say if Séamus wants to go, we can let him go.

Having named the players that could slot into right-back or right wing-back in the future, Treacy added: "I still love Séamus. I'd still love him to be around in terms of his leadership, in terms of geeing the lads up and doing all that type of stuff.

"I think it's probably come to a natural conclusion.

"I can see a whole host of Championship clubs wanting him to play for them but Saturday- Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday is absolutely relentless on your body.

"You do very little training, it's game after game after game and we shouldn't lose sight that Séamus has had some really career-ending injuries that he's managed to bounce back from.

"So although he's not, you know, pushing 40 and he needs to finish, he's an older player and like I say, he's had some bad injuries.

"So the fact that he stepped away from it and seems to be enjoying it, I think we've probably seen the last of Séamus Coleman."

Also speaking on the podcast, Alan Cawley said the fact that Euro 2028 is almost two years away makes it harder to carry on.

Meanwhile, former Derry City, Bohemians and Glentoran manager Declan Devine added that if Coleman opts to end his playing career, ideally he would remain involved with the Irish squad in a different capacity if financially feasible.

"I think for the future generations and the younger generation of players in the squad, having Séamus Coleman talking in your ear can only be a positive thing," he said.

"And hopefully if he does retire and that's the way it's going to end, then hopefully we'll still see him in a Republic of Ireland tracksuit in the games to come."

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