Aiyegbeni tips Coleman to replicate Arteta’s feat as manager

Former Everton striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has singled out former teammate Seamus Coleman as his pick to be the player to graduate from the dressing room to the dugout.

The former forward likened the Blues’ club captain to Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, and described him as “a clever guy.”

Aiyegbeni’s comments came just weeks after Coleman stepped up to help prepare the first team for the FA Cup win over Peterborough United following the dismissal of Sean Dyche.

Coleman, whose current contract expires in the summer, has spoken of a desire to go into management when he hangs up his boots.

Aiyegeni spent four years at Everton after signing from Middlesbrough in 2007.

He was at Goodison Park when Coleman arrived in his famed £60,000 transfer from Sligo Rovers, in January 2009 – under David Moyes, who returned to the club after the Peterborough game.

Reflecting on his first impression of the defender, Aiyegeni said he stood out for his intelligence, and the more he saw of him, the more he could identify his management potential even at such a young age.

He said: “I think Seamus Coleman is the next guy who is going to make a name for himself in management. He’s a clever guy. I remember when he came to Everton, he was quite young at the time, but he’s always been so clever, and the way he speaks and helps out on the pitch… he’s similar to Mikel Arteta in that he was pretty quiet, but was just such an intelligent boy.

“Even when he wasn’t playing, you could see he wanted his teammates to do well – that’s a great mentality to have.”

Aiyegbeni said Coleman shared similarities with their teammate Leighton Baines, who has joined Moyes’ backroom
win.

Aiyegbeni, speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes’ “Gaffer of all Accas” said: “He loves Everton so