Everton defender Seamus Coleman admits he has not tried to impress any of his managers at Goodison Park more than the other following a recent clip where he was praised by Frank Lampard.
The defender was singled out in a video last month on the night where Everton came from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace and sealed their survival in the Premier League in their penultimate game of the season.
In the video, which went viral, Lampard put his arm around the Toffees’ skipper and described the right-back as “one of the best people I have ever met,” with the 33-year-old playing 384 times in all competitions since his arrival from Sligo Rovers in 2009.
Speaking on the video and what Lampard said to him in front of his teammates after beating Palace, Coleman admitted that he was incredibly grateful for what Lampard said, although he has given the same level of dedication and commitment to every manager worked under.
"Listen, it was a tough season for us all, a lot of emotion went into it, all season, and I think a little bit of emotion carried through into that game,” Coleman told the Irish Independent. “Regardless of who my manager is, it’s not changed for me.
"I’ve not tried to impress one more than the other, I just want what’s best for the team, myself, the club, my team-mates, my manager. For a manager like Frank Lampard to say that is obviously a lovely moment, it means a lot.
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"I don’t think a lot of people see or understand what goes on behind the scenes, and what you really put into it. From that point of view it’s nice of him to put it out there, nice for my parents and stuff like that. For me it’s part of my job and I’m happy the season ended like it did.
"It was a tough season for us all, parents, wife, kids. It was a tough grind. We got what we wanted in the end. Not exactly what we are describing as a successful season but when you get stuck in that rut with six weeks to go, we got what we wanted. As a club we need to learn massively from it, but I’m glad I am sitting here and still a Premier League player, for sure."
Coleman is currently away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland ahead of their four UEFA Nations League matches taking place in the coming weeks.
Ireland first take on Armenia on Saturday away from home before returning to Dublin for a home double header against Ukraine and Scotland on June 8 and June 11 in Group 1 of League B.
Ireland then take on Ukraine again in Poland in their final match of this month’s internationals before completing their group in September with return meetings against Scotland and Armenia.
Coleman is also Ireland’s captain and has represented his country on 64 occasions and scored once, with only James McClean (90) and Jeff Hendrick (70) making more appearances in the current squad.
