Substitution against Man Utd highlights the reality all Everton fans will need to come to terms with
Seamus Coleman may have stepped off the flight from Hungary thinking he’d earned a well-deserved rest after his exploits for his country over the international break.
The Everton captain further cemented his hero status back home by helping the Republic of Ireland defeat Portugal and then secure a crucial away win in Hungary, keeping the Emerald Isle’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive.
His inclusion in the starting XI for Everton’s trip to Old Trafford may have surprised many Toffees supporters, given James Garner’s recent form and Jake O’Brien’s suitability for the role.
However, his involvement in the Manchester United fixture was brief. He was withdrawn after just nine minutes, presumably due to injury, having endured a difficult start in which he misplaced a couple of early passes.
There was no obvious sign of what the issue might have been, but it is likely a muscular problem, likely the dreaded hamstring, as he was seen heading down the Old Trafford tunnel to receive treatment.
But another departure early in the game could suggest that this is the last time we see him in an Everton shirt?
Is retirement on the cards?
Coleman signed a new contract in the summer, committing to another season at Everton. Many supporters believe that, even as his on-pitch involvement naturally decreases, he will continue to play a vital role behind the scenes, offering leadership and experience within the dressing room.
Tonight’s match marked his first start of the campaign and his first since the Goodison Park finale against Southampton on the final day of last season. On that occasion, he lasted only 20 minutes before being forced off, and history unfortunately repeated itself here.
The intensity of Premier League football, with its sharp bursts of pace, relentless transitions, and high physical demands, is increasingly proving difficult for the Irish captain to withstand. Despite his professionalism and unwavering commitment, the toll of top-flight football appears to be catching up with him.
Looking crestfallen as he left the pitch, Coleman may well understand that he can no longer compete consistently at this level. A quiet conversation about drawing his Everton career to a close would not be unexpected, allowing him to focus on maintaining his fitness for the remainder of his international commitments beyond March or into the summer.
Few Everton supporters would begrudge such a decision. After everything he has given to the club, more than a decade of leadership, loyalty, and professionalism, Coleman has earned the right to choose how and when his chapter at Goodison Park ends.
