Ronald Koeman may have declared war on the Irish nation a couple of weeks ago when he escalated the tensions between himself and Martin O'Neill over the Irish manager's handling of James McCarthy, but today he's gone a long way towards making the peace.
Koeman, along with Everton captain Phil Jagielka was in Donegal today to visit Seamus Coleman a couple of weeks after he suffered a broken leg playing for Ireland against Wales.
It's a genuinely nice touch from the Everton manager to make the trip to Ireland in the middle of a busy season to visit his injured player. We're not sure there are a lot of Premier League managers who would make a similar trip.
Today we visit Seamus Coleman and his Family! Looking strong and positive pic.twitter.com/T0bSx5yCoI
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) April 11, 2017
Koeman has been glowing in his praise of the Irish captain since he suffered his injury. He told the Everton website in the days following the game against Wales:
In all my years in football, Seamus is one of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with at any club.
His dedication to the game, his attitude and motivation are always where they should be and that’s 100 per cent, and he’s like that in training every day as well as in games.
That mentality will really be helpful to him now in not only coming to terms with what has happened but in setting out on the road to recovery and, over time, in him building himself once more to the level he has maintained over many years here at Everton. That strength of character will be a big, big thing.
Judging by the picture above, taken in some beautiful surroundings in Donegal, it seems as though Coleman is already showing that strength of character. It's good to see him smiling.
By the way, it's time we all paid some attention to Ronald Koeman's twitter account. It first came to our attention in his spat with O'Neill a few weeks ago, but a look through it shows some brilliantly blunt tweets. He doesn't need to be diplomatic. He's Ronald Koeman. If he leaves the Irish manager alone, I think this is something we can get behind.
Comfortable win today! We played some fantastic football in the first half and controlled the game in the second #efc #everton pic.twitter.com/4Uzvkv7DcH
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) April 9, 2017
Comfortable win. No need to plámás Leicester in any way. And don't forget the greatest part of all, he adds a picture of himself. Sure who or what else would we want to see.
Very unlucky in the end. We played a well disciplined match and deserved the win at Old Trafford. Great support from the fans! #everton #efc pic.twitter.com/2Sh9Zylmf9
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) April 4, 2017
There's Ronald again.
Dear followers thanks for all the nice birthday wishes! 👍 pic.twitter.com/dGSvQ1nqYg
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 22, 2017
A birthday pose with a nice glass of Dutch beer.
#Throwback to winning the Dutch Manager of the Year Award in 2003 #tbt pic.twitter.com/GikRpKyEc6
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) February 23, 2017
Glory days.
And let's not forget his objectively hilarious response to O'Neill.
James McCarthy began his pre-season three and a half weeks after Ireland were knocked out of the Euros. From the master tactician
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 31, 2017
It's hard to imagine another Premier League manager giving us so much in his twitter account. Except for maybe @TheBig_Sam.
