‘It is hard to walk away from something you love’ – Seamus Coleman hints at extending Everton stay

Having joined the Toffees from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Coleman is the club’s longest-serving player but as his present deal is up at the end of a season where he has been held back by injury, there was some doubt over his future.

Boss Sean Dyche said he was keen to keep on the 35-year-old and while Coleman says he has a call to make, he is not in a rush to leave.

“The club means everything to me. I suppose I live and breathe it like everyone else. It’s been a hell of a ride – the last two or three years – and it’s not a case that you just turn up for work, go home and forget about it,” Coleman told club media.

“You live and breathe it, and it’s been tough. But I absolutely love this football club, I love this stadium. We’ve got another year here at Goodison, so I’m happy to have been offered something and I’ll have a think. This football club means everything to me and, as I said before when I signed my last contract, it is hard to walk away from something you love.”

It’s been a testing season for him and the club with two points deductions but he has welcomed Premier League safety.

“The last couple of weeks, we’ve been safe, but without the support this year and without the togetherness in the group – from players to the manager – it’s not to be underestimated what this group has done this season,” he added.

“Two points deductions – never heard of before. Everyone was writing us off. We’ve seen it all; all the noise.

“The group, to be fair, stuck together. I know we can test the patience of the fans at times, but this is a group I’m proud to be a part of for the way we responded to what has been a tough couple of years.

“Listen, for me, they’re the best fans in the world. Of course, they are and through good and good, they’re such a passionate fanbase. There’s absolutely no getting away from the fact these supporters have played a massive part in us staying up.”