England boss Sarina Wiegman on Mary Earps retirement: 'I'm sad and disappointed - I want her in my team'

29 May 2025, 08:35 | Updated: 29 May 2025, 17:00

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has responded to goalkeeper Mary Earps' decision to call time on her England career, saying she is "sad and emotional" to lose her after such an "incredible journey".

The 32-year-old's decision to stand down, after earning 53 caps over an eight-year span, comes five weeks out from this summer's European Championship in Switzerland.

Earps, who joined PSG from Manchester United last year, had been facing increased competition for her place from Chelsea's Hannah Hampton but was due to join camp this week for Nations League games against Portugal and Spain.

"I'm really disappointed, I want her in my team," Wiegman reiterated, to echo the sentiment from Tuesday's official announcement.

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"That must have been a hard decision for her, and so it is for us. Of course there have been conversations, that's between us, it's confidential.

"She has done such a great job for England, we've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that, that's where the disappointment comes from. It's emotional, because we have a relationship and we've had lots of highs, some lows too. It makes it hard. I'm sad.

"I try to connect with players in the best possible way. What you hope is that everyone feels good enough, fit enough and ready to come in, but that's not always the case.

"It's part of the increased demands on players and development of the game. We have to keep having conversations together."

Goalkeepers Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse are alongside new No 1 Hampton in Wiegman's 26-player squad to play Portugal at Wembley on Friday and Spain in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Victories in both would secure England a place in the Nations League knock-out stage.

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