Everton legend Seamus Coleman has revealed he is "edging" towards retirement, five months after departing the Toffees.
The 38-year-old brought a curtain down on a 17-year spell on Merseyside at the end of last season, having made over 430 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions.
Everton offered Coleman the opportunity to remain at the club in the form of a coaching deal, but he turned it down with a view to continue his career.
He later earned his 81st cap for the Republic of Ireland in a friendly against Canada, with reports suggesting that he would look to continue on with the national team with a view to be involved when they serve as one of the co-hosts of Euro 2028.
While a move to Championship side Sheffield United ultimately did not materialise, Coleman continued an individual training regime throughout the summer.
However, it appears that his playing days may have come to an end as admitted he was on the verge of hanging up his boots after more than two decades as a professional.
"I have been keeping fit but it is edging towards that way, and happily as well," Coleman said on the Overlap Fan Debate with Jamie Carragher.
He continued: "I had hopes & ambitions of maybe possibly staying playing on.
"The longer I have been off, and the more I've been around the family and back home for Halloween break with the kids and stuff like that, the more content I am with what I am doing at the minute."
Coleman was initially named in Heimir Hallfrimsson's squad for their Nations League fixtures last month but later withdrew and was replaced by his former Everton team-mate Jake O'Brien.
Speaking following the move Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson revealed that he hopes to have Coleman involved in the national set-up going forward, whether as a player or as part of the coaching setup.
"Yes [that's] my intention and in whatever shape or form that will be," he said. "He will be with us in the future hopefully as a player, his intention is to play.
"He's keeping fit but he hasn't been training with a club or with a team.
"So we felt together - well, it was more his decision than mine - that it was appropriate he sit this one out mostly because he felt it was unfair to players that he would be picked at this moment."
