Seamus Coleman gets hybrid coaching role as Ireland name squad for Nations League finale

Coleman's hybrid role

Seamus Coleman has been given a new role within the Republic of Ireland set-up as he weighs up whether to continue his playing career. The 38-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Everton at the end of last season and has not played since. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson did not name him in the 24-man squad for the Nations League games, but confirmed that Coleman will join the camp.

The former captain, who has 81 international caps, is expected to train with the players while also taking a leadership and supporting role alongside the coaching staff. Hallgrimsson said the aim is to push Coleman back into playing and that the player has said he wants to continue.

“Hopefully that will get him to start playing again. That's our aim, to try to push him to continue playing.”

Hallgrimsson on Coleman's future

Hallgrimsson said the staff still need to see where Coleman is physically, since he has not taken part in team training for some time. He also acknowledged the temptation to call Coleman up, pointing to his performances for Ireland while he had little game time at Everton. Coleman had recently told an Overlap interview that he was edging towards retirement while still maintaining his fitness.

Squad news

Captain Nathan Collins returns after missing the previous window through injury, and Harvey Vale is also back after rehabilitation. Mark Travers replaces Gavin Bazunu, who is out with a quad injury and has missed Bolton Wanderers' last two matches. Finn Azaz is included, which ends speculation about his willingness to keep playing for Ireland after the games against Israel in September and October.

Josh Cullen is not in the squad. He has only recently returned from a knee injury that kept him out for ten months, and Hallgrimsson wants him to build his fitness before adding to his workload. Hallgrimsson said Evan Ferguson and Jaden Umeh need more time.

Fixtures and what is at stake

Ireland are third in their group, three points behind leaders Austria and behind Kosovo on goal difference. They travel to Linz to face Austria on Saturday, 14 November, and then host Kosovo at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, 17 November. Two wins could move them up to League A, while Hallgrimsson said two wins will most likely secure second place.

The squad will assemble in Dublin on Monday before the trip to Austria. Owen Elding was left out of the senior squad because he is in the Under-21 squad for the Euro 2027 play-offs against Finland, which begin on Friday, 13 November.