Earps England retirement ‘hard’ for Wiegman to accept

England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her disappointment on Thursday at Mary Earps’ shock decision to retire from international football just weeks before Euro 2025.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Earps played a starring role as England won Euro 2022 on home soil and reached the final of the World Cup a year later.

However, she faced tough competition for the England number one shirt from Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton in recent months before announcing her retirement on Tuesday.

“Of course that’s hard, but I want to keep this to disappointment,” said Wiegman when asked if she was annoyed by the timing of the decision.

“I’m really disappointed and sad that she’s not part of the team. I want her in my team.

“She’s done such a great job for England. She has made a massive difference and we’ve had an incredible journey.

“I really cherish that, so that’s also why the disappointment.”

Lionesses captain Leah Williamson said she was “devastated” by the decision after years together on the international scene. 

“She’s one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we’ve been through together, the journey that we’ve been on, so I’m devastated just because I love her,” said Arsenal defender Williamson.

“I think the way that she wears an England shirt is an example. 

“I’m very sad that those memories aren’t going to continue in an England shirt.

“But for her, if she thinks this is the best thing, I’ll support her in that.”

England face Portugal at Wembley on Friday before travelling to face world champions Spain on Tuesday in their final Nations League group games with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Wiegman’s women will then face France, the Netherlands and Wales in the group stages of their defence of the Euros, which begins on July 2 in Switzerla