I was never a stan, but always liked their songs. I also always thought they were respected, but now it seems to me that a lot of people are making fun of them/hating them just because it's cool. So where's the truth?
They actually are extremely popular and well-respected. But they fall under the category of "dad-rock/pop" to a lot of the younger generation (like under 25/26 yo) so it's "cool" to make fun of them for some reason. I love them though. They provide constant epic bops
A lot of people have accused them of 'sell outs' since Viva La Vida ( and some pseudo-rockers who like 'real rock!!!' have always trashed them) but they are great. Nobody can deny how talented they are at creating melodies and writing music.. they have some of the best classics of this century.
There is always that Radiohead stan too who pretends Coldplay is a carbon copy of them when it is not even remotely close. Yes, they have been influenced by them but not as much as from U2 and The Verve.