Coleman takes hybrid role with Republic of Ireland squad

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 15:00 · Archive

Seamus Coleman will train with the Republic of Ireland squad in a leadership role despite not playing since leaving Everton.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has announced that Seamus Coleman will take a 'hybrid role' within the squad for this month's Nations League fixtures against Austria and Kosovo. The 38-year-old defender, who has 81 international caps, will train with the players and work in a leadership and supportive capacity with the coaching staff, despite not being named in the 24-man playing squad.

Coleman has been without a club since leaving Everton in the summer and has not played since his departure. He has recently spoken about the possibility of retiring from football. Hallgrimsson said it was 'tempting' to include him in the playing squad, noting that Coleman has expressed a desire to return to playing and that the manager aims to help him do so.

'Hopefully that will get him to start playing again and that is our aim to continue to push him to play,' Hallgrimsson said. 'He has expressed he wants to do that. He hasn't done team training for some period now, so we need to see where he is at.' The arrangement keeps open the possibility of Coleman adding to his international caps in future matches.

How it is being reported

• Seamus Coleman takes on new Republic of Ireland role as Everton legend ponders his playing futureSeamus Coleman has not played since leaving Everton at the end of last seasonIndependent Sport · 5 Nov, 14:26
• Coleman in 'hybrid role' with Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says it was "tempting" to include Seamus Coleman in his squad for this month's Nations League matches against Austria and Kosovo despite the defender having not played since June.BBC Sport · 5 Nov, 13:03

In this story: Seamus Coleman · Heimir Hallgrimsson · Republic of Ireland · Everton · Austria · Kosovo

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