Seamus Coleman considers retirement but leaves playing future open

Seamus Coleman says he is moving closer to retirement, although he has not formally ended his playing career. BBC Sport reported that the 38-year-old discussed his future on the Overlap Fan Debate with Jamie Carragher on Tuesday, describing growing contentment with life away from professional football after leaving Everton at the end of last season.

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Coleman has remained without a club and has not played since the Republic of Ireland's friendly in Canada in June, according to the BBC. He has continued training individually but spoke about the mental and physical difficulty of maintaining fitness outside a team environment. His Everton career included a club-record 374 Premier League appearances across 17 years.

The latest comments follow an earlier period of uncertainty about whether to continue. In a September 8 report, The Irish Times detailed how a conversation with Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had persuaded Coleman to reconsider retirement. Coleman said the prospect of remaining involved with Ireland through to Euro 2028 had given him a reason to explore extending his career.

That September interview also clarified why a possible move to Sheffield United had not happened. Coleman said he had visited the club and met manager Chris Wilder but felt the opportunity had arrived too soon after his Everton departure. He spoke positively about the setup while explaining that he did not want to delay Sheffield United's recruitment decisions.

Coleman also outlined what he believed he could still offer another team. The Irish Times reported that he saw value in supporting team-mates and influencing a dressing room, rather than expecting to play 30 or 40 matches. He expressed interest in management in the longer term, while making clear that it was not an immediate step.

For now, no final retirement announcement has been made. The BBC reported that Coleman had enjoyed more time with his family and visits home to Donegal, including the children's Halloween break. He said the longer he had spent away from playing, the more comfortable he had become with his current situation.