Sarina Wiegman Expresses Disappointment And Sadness Over Mary Earps' Retirement From International Football

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Mary Earps' unexpected retirement from international football has left England Women's manager Sarina Wiegman feeling both disappointed and saddened. Earps, who announced her decision on Tuesday, will not be part of the team as they defend their title in the Women's Euros starting on July 5. Her absence is notable, given her impressive record of four clean sheets in six games during the last tournament.

Earps has been a key player for England since her debut in 2017, earning 53 caps and playing a crucial role in reaching the World Cup final in 2023. Her outstanding performances have earned her consecutive Best FIFA Goalkeeper awards and the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Despite these achievements, she recently lost her starting position to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton.

Wiegman expressed that her disappointment stems from wanting Earps to remain part of the team. "I am really disappointed and sad that she is not part of the team because I want her in my team," Wiegman stated. She acknowledged the difficulty of Earps' decision and emphasised the significant impact Earps has had on England's success.

The manager also highlighted the emotional aspect of this change, noting their shared journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. "It's emotional because you also have relationships and we have had such a massive journey together with lots of highs and some lows too," Wiegman explained.

England's captain Leah Williamson also shared her feelings about Earps' departure, describing it as a personal loss. "She's one of my closest friends in football. I'm devastated because I love her," Williamson said, expressing sadness over missing future memories with Earps.

The Lionesses are set to play their first match without Earps against Portugal in a Women's Nations League fixture on May 30. The team must now focus on moving forward as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including their participation in the Euros.

Wiegman remains focused on future matches despite the emotional toll of losing such an influential player. "We have to move on too. We have a game tomorrow," she remarked, indicating that while Earps' absence is felt deeply, the team's immediate focus remains on their upcoming fixtures.