Seamus Coleman 'One Of The Best Pros' Boss Ronald Koeman Has Worked With
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has hailed Seamus Coleman as "one of the best professionals" he has ever worked with and believes the defender will get back to playing at the high standards he has set for himself in recent years.
The Republic of Ireland captain suffered a dreadful double leg break following a horror tackle from Wales defender Neil Taylor in last Friday's World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.
No set time has been given for a possible return following successful surgery at the weekend but the Toffees will be without one of their most important players as they attempt an assault on the Premier League top four this season.
“It’s a big, big blow for the player and a big, big blow for the club,” Koeman told evertonfc.com.
“It takes time for everybody to come to terms with something like this and, of course, that is felt most deeply by Seamus himself."
Koeman revealed that he had spoken to the 28-year-old on Saturday.
“He was in pain when we spoke, it is normal to have some pain after such an injury and, naturally, he was feeling very down.
"This is all normal. But he knows he will have a lot of support and the reaction of Evertonians, their thoughts and good wishes and the reaction of so many other people as well who follow the game will mean a lot to Seamus."
Koeman went on to praise Coleman's attitude and believes that this will play a massive part in him making a full and speedy recovery.
“In all my years in football, Seamus is one of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with at any club.
“His dedication to the game, his attitude and motivation are always where they should be and that’s 100 per cent, and he’s like that in training every day as well as in games.
“That mentality will really be helpful to him now in not only coming to terms with what has happened but in setting out on the road to recovery and, over time, in him building himself once more to the level he has maintained over many years here at Everton. That strength of character will be a big, big thing.”
Coleman has contributed so much to the Merseyside club in 247 appearances since his move from League of Ireland club Sligo Rovers in 2010.
This season the flying full-back has scored four goals and made three assists but it's his contribution to the fabric of the club that Koeman was also keen to highlight.
“The length of time he has been at the club, the kind of player he is, the fact that he takes such a keen interest in the community here.
"Only a couple of weeks ago, I believe, he was at Everton Free School for a game involving Everton in the Community’s Down Syndrome team – all of these things mean that he is held in high esteem by Evertonians.
“And he is valued very much as a player, which makes it really difficult that we are talking about an injury that will keep him out for six, seven months, something like that.
“But I know he will come back strongly, that’s the type of man he is. And he will have support from everyone around him, too, which he knows.
“It won’t be easy what he has to face but he has the character to overcome this, I am sure.”