Séamus Coleman: My life is my family and football - and family always comes first
Irish footballer Séamus Coleman says he would invite Pep Guardiola to his dream dinner party
Ireland captain, Séamus Coleman has just come from an ice treatment on his knee when he takes my call. The Donegal native, who also plays for Everton, suffered a knee injury during a Premier League match earlier this year.
“At the minute, I’m just doing rehab in the gym and working on my recovery,” says the 34-year-old. “Right now it’s just about coming into work every day, maybe dropping the kids off on route and going back and spending time with the family.”
Originally from Killybegs, the dad of three is now based in Liverpool, where he is enjoying spending as much time with his family as he can between training sessions. “I got away to Mallorca for a week with the family over the summer. Usually, the summer is your time off, but because I’ve been injured, I’ve had only a week off. But spending time in the sun with the kids was great,” he says.
My job is all about keeping fit, and I’m lucky enough to get to come into the Everton training grounds every day and use the facilities that we have here.
We have a very busy house with our three kids, but we love it. There’s always something going on. I try to be up before the kids and be organised for the day ahead. We do the breakfast and then I drop them off at school on my way to work because everything is quite close to the training grounds.
That currently revolves around my rehab for my injury. I have to get an ice machine on my knee for half an hour every day.
I’m very fortunate with the club. We are all well looked after with really healthy meals including vegetables, chicken and salad bars. But I have a sweet tooth too.
If I’m feeling tired in the morning, I might reach for a can of Red Bull, which isn’t good, I know.
As long as my kids and my family are healthy, not much would keep me awake at night. Maybe sometimes overthinking games that I’ve just played.
I love spending time with the kids. We go down to the park which is nice, but once they get to bed, I get on and watch a game of footie.
Being a young Irish guy, Roy Keane would have been my biggest hero growing up.
What traits do you least like in others?
I think manners are so important. I grew up being told by my parents to say please and thank you, and to have respect for others.
My biggest strength is probably my biggest weakness. It keeps me at this level, but it can be draining having that laser focus, twenty-four-seven.
Not maybe as much as I should. We try and bring the kids to church when we can, but I do pray. It’s how I was brought up.
My kids. You can sum up my life as football and family; family comes first.
Me and my friends were massive Pokémon fans when younger.
We’d come home from school and watch it on TV and then play it on the Gameboy for hours.
It’s not a long list. I’d take my family, mum and dad. Ultimately, they are who are most important to me. But if I had to pick someone’s brains it would be Pep Guardiola.
What quote inspires you most?
Hard work always beats talent. When I moved over to England first, I was homesick. I remember my Mum telling me; “Séamie, don’t worry, no day will stop.”
She meant that the next day will come, and it will be better. It was great advice.
I’ve had a few lovely holidays. Barbados was amazing. But my favourite place will always be Killybegs, where I’m from.
I love thinking of home and of Fintra beach and dipping my toes in that water.
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