FAREWELL TOUR: Everton Star player to hang up boots after final season.
Sean Dyche says Seamus Coleman’s “mindset is to keep playing” next season, ahead of Saturday’s penultimate Premier League encounter for the Blues. The Blues, who have gone unbeaten in their last four games, including three wins at home, host Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon at 3pm (BST). The game marks Everton’s final appearance at Goodison Park in 2023/24, and captain Coleman, who joined the Toffees in January 2009, is on a deal that expires this summer.
Dyche was asked in his pre-match press conference if Saturday would be Coleman’s final home game at Everton, but the Blues boss responded: “He’s been wonderful, but it’s ongoing. I’ve already spoken with him about his thoughts at this point. “There are another couple of weeks remaining, and I said, ‘Reflect on where you’re at,’ but I believe his desire is to continue playing, so we’ll look into it. “I don’t think there’s any reason to doubt about his last game – or not at this point – and those are his words, not mine. He’s made it obvious that, at this point, his intention is to continue playing.”
When asked if the Toffees right-back could take on a coaching job at Finch Farm after his playing career, Dyche replied: “I believe he is developing to have that in him. He’s learned a lot from a variety of situations here. “The benefit of manager turnover is that you can learn a lot from the various input, styles, and working methods. I think he is like that, and I believe he will absorb it. He definitely knows the Club like the back of his hand. For Saturday’s game, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United travel on Merseyside on a 12-match winless run, while Everton have triumphed in each of their previous four home games, keeping straight clean sheets.
Dyche feels his side will reward the fans’ backing with another positive Goodison performance. “[We’ve had] a run of really strong home – not just performances – because they weren’t as important as the outcomes, and they were wins,” Dyche stated. “Whatever happens, we want to honor everyone – the players, the staff, and the fans – for what turns out to be a successful season after some extremely difficult circumstances. We want to conclude with a win.
“You just have to focus on the players and remind them of the fact that, as previously stated, we have pride and consistency in our principles as a group to go out and perform. “We want to make a performance and win. Following that, for the first time in several years, we will be able to go for a walk around in a way that is rewarding for both the players and the fans. I believe that’s a beautiful way to end for the players and the fans, and ideally it comes after a win. “It’s been a strange season for a variety of reasons, but we all end it with a good outlook, and I certainly do. But, I believe the players