Ireland's captain, Seamus Coleman, has claimed that Ireland needs to be at major tournaments regardless of the talk of playing style that always becomes a hot topic for the national team.
The Irish team has always been known as a team of underdogs that are gritty and dogged, but there has always been a willingness to adapt a playing style that emulates other national teams in Europe.
This month, Heimir Hallgrímsson was installed as the new Ireland boss, and the playing style will once again become a hot-button issue.
Coleman believes the Irish public will get behind the Icelandic native, but it's imperative now that Ireland gets to future major tournaments, something they haven't done since Euro 2016.
“He's very excited to be on the job,” said the 35-year-old at Everton's new kit launch. “I think we're all glad that we've finally got a manager, whichever way it's come about, and we've got to back him now and support him.
“I know that's what the Irish people do; they will get right behind this manager and support him because another major tournament has gone past where we've all been sitting from our sitting rooms watching, or from pubs watching, wherever.
“There have been too many tournaments that have gone past us now.
“There is talk of styles of play and development, and I get all that for the future of Irish football, but the here and now is that you want to be at these tournaments, however that is.
“If that's playing out from the back or whatever, kicking long, the nation needs to be at these tournaments, and we need to find a way of getting there.”
Seamus Coleman speaking to @paulnealon90 on Heimir Hallgrímsson's new appointment, "The country is crying out for a major tournament. Because we sat back and watched too many of them at this stage."
Full interview: https://t.co/vSKR9CZAz4 pic.twitter.com/oPmPymvPOG— Irish Football Fan TV (@irishfantv) July 19, 2024
Coleman is the elder statesman of the Ireland squad at 35, and by the time Euro 2028 comes around, he will be close to 40 years of age. Years ago, players wouldn't make it past 35, but now with sports science, players are lasting longer at the highest levels of football.
For example, Portugal's Pepe is 41 and has just competed at Euro 2024. Coleman admires the Portuguese legend for his longevity but is cautiously taking each day at a time. “I don’t know if you can compare the likes of me and Pepe. He was incredible to watch. You can just see that fire in the belly burning strong,” said Coleman.
“There was one clip in particular where someone passed him, and it looked like they had done him completely down the side.
“The commentators would be the first to say his legs were gone, but he kept battling, got back in position, knocked it out for a corner, and celebrated.
“I've been there in a way and can understand the feeling he had.
“To be 41, he’s had an unbelievable career.
“Listen, lads are going longer now; lads are fitter now. If there is someone, please God, the likes of Festy (Ebosele) and others can kick on, and you'll happily move aside when the time is right.
“At the minute, I still feel good enough against some of the best wingers when I play against them. It’s one camp at a time, one week at a time at the minute.”
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