Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes has said that Seamus Coleman reminded him of the fictional movie star Forrest Gump when he signed him from Sligo Rovers in 2009.
Coleman has established himself as one of the best right-back in the Premier League over the last number of seasons, and has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill appointed him as Irish captain – following the retirement of Robbie Keane.
In the build-up to Ireland’s match with Serbia, Roy Keane compared him to Denis Irwin, saying that’s the highest possible praise he could give Coleman.
However, when David Moyes first witnessed Coleman in action he said he reminded him of Forrest Gump, because of his ability to just run and run.
Moyes was speaking ahead of the pair meeting again when Everton face Sunderland tonight at the Stadium of Light.
Moyes told Sky Sports, “Coleman had been in at Birmingham, Celtic, somewhere else, and nobody took him. We took him and he was £60,000.
“I used to think he was like Forrest Gump. He could run for fun. He went to Blackpool on loan and I used to go and watch him. He played outside-right and he wasn’t ready to be a full-back yet.
“Even though that’s what he was, he hadn’t learnt the art of defending. But boy could he run, he could put folk on the back foot because he was positive.”
Moyes says he expects to captain Ireland for another 40/50 games, proclaiming he’s that good.
“‘Here’s a boy’ and what happens is you put him out on loan to Blackpool, like you do with young boys.
“He came back and you say: ‘He’s done okay there, he’s moved on’.
“We brought him back, we got him into pre-season and before you know it, he’s found his way into the team.
“Actually, I had Tony Hibbert, who was experienced and when Tony Hibbert was just beginning to get a bit older, Seamus was there to take over.
“But he will go on now probably to captain the Ireland team for another 40 or 50 games, I would think. He’s that good.”
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