Seamus Coleman admitted it was a bit "surreal" to find himself on the sideline as interim co-manager for Everton's 2-0 win over Peterborough in tonight's FA Cup tie but stressed he was willing to do whatever the club needed.
Coleman and his former defensive partner Leighton Baines, currently head coach of the U18 side, were installed in temporary charge for tonight's game following the sacking of Sean Dyche, which was confirmed this afternoon.
The hosts had failed to score in eight of their past 10 games but they found the net twice tonight, albeit against League One opposition, Beto's strike late in the first half and Iliman Ndiaye's second half penalty giving the interim managerial duo a 2-0 victory.
"It was very late, it was very late for us both," Coleman told Everton TV, when asked about his sudden elevation to co-manager. "We're both Evertonians. I think I was supposed to be on the bench tonight and it changed very quickly.
"I always say, whatever Everton need from me, I'm going to be there. Tonight, they needed me to stand beside Leighton and help him. I was more than happy to do so and it was good for the lads to get a win as well.
"It's a bit surreal. I was playing and training yesterday and then I'm standing on the sideline with Bainesy. Credit to Leighton, he's more used to this side of things than me. How he planned, how he prepared. I was there to support him as best as I could. I really enjoyed it.
"The most important thing is the lads understand - whether the manager is gone or a new manager is coming in - that regardless, Everton Football Club means too much to too many people and our fans are important to us.
"We need to buy in and have a massive belief for the rest of the season. Because every game here is a game closer to it being the last and we've got to find that connection."
Dyche, appointed in January 2023 and who helped the club survive in the Premier League amid two separate points deductions last season, was dismissed today with Everton 16th in the table after just one win in 11 games.
"It's never nice when you part ways with the manager," Coleman said.
"The manager done his job when he was here, he helped us through a 10-point deduction and tried to instil some Everton beliefs.
Great to be back out there this evening#UTT 💙 pic.twitter.com/B0MF788Obw
— Jake O'Brien (@obrienjake_) January 9, 2025
Coleman was also complimentary towards his international teammate Jake O'Brien, who returned to the starting line-up after a long absence this evening, impressing as Everton easily maintained a clean sheet.
"I thought Jake coming in - not because he's Irish - out of the cold and putting in a performance like that. I thought he was brilliant. It was easy for him."
