FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Steve Staunton revealed that he tried to entice Seamus Coleman to Leeds United in 2008.
Staunton, who won 102 caps for Ireland between 1988 and 2002, playing in the World Cups in 1990, 1994 and 2002 – he is the only player to feature in every game Ireland have played at the World Cups – was assistant manager to Gary McAllister at Leeds in ’08.
Staunton managed the Republic of Ireland for a turbulent spell between January 2006 and October 2007.
The Dundalk native was subsequently appointed to the role at Leeds under McAllister, with whom he played at Coventry City.
At that stage, Coleman was really coming to prominance at Sligo Rovers.
[adrotate group=”72″]“He’s a cracking player,” Staunton said when he was a guest at The Cavern in Letterkenny for the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Sweden in the Euro 2016 opener yesterday evening.
Staunton took part in a questions and answers session with local journalist Chris Ashmore.
“Myself and Gary tried to sign him from Sligo for £20,000.
“Even back then you could tell that he was going to be a top class player. Defensively, he wasn’t the best but going forward in possession he was brilliant.
“His defensive work in the last two or three years has really improved.”
Coleman signed for Everton in January 2009 for a fee of £60,000.
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