Everton captain Seamus Coleman hopes the club can once again challenge for European qualification in the coming years.
The veteran defender agreed a one-year contract extension earlier this summer as he prepares for an incredible 16th consecutive Premier League season at Goodison Park.
Coleman has entered Everton folklore during his time on Merseyside, where the Republic of Ireland international has set a new club record with 364 Premier League appearances.
Gwladys St as Coleman approaches:
“60 thousand, 60 thousand Seamus Coleman” image.twitter.com/C16O48ctvp
— Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) May 11, 2024
Despite preparing to turn 36 in October, Coleman’s fearless leadership remains a key part of Sean Dyche’s plans, and if he remains injury-free he will remain first choice at right-back.
However, despite Coleman’s consistency, Everton are bracing for a major change in the next 12 months as they prepare to leave Goodison Park for a new home ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The site at Bramley Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey is close to completion and Everton are in the final stages of the move.
Coleman knows he won’t be around much longer, but he’s confident the fresh start can usher in better days for the fan base.
“I’m getting a bit older but I want to feel I’ve played a part in weathering the storm and allowing Everton to move forward to the new stadium and become a giant of a club again,” he said in an interview at Everton’s pre-season camp in Ireland.
“I was lucky enough to play on some European nights with Roberto [Martinez]We went to kyiv and lost a game that we probably shouldn’t have lost.
“You don’t realise how lucky you are until you lose it and you see West Ham in Europe and you think: ‘Ah, that was us. Did we take it for granted?’ Yeah, we probably did.
“We have to make sure we get those times back, and I fully believe we will. We’ve all been through some tough times as Evertonians, but we have to believe the future is bright.”
Coleman’s prediction would require a big step up from Everton’s recent relegation battles under Dyche, who last qualified for Europe in 2017 and have not finished inside the top half of the Premier League since 2021.
