Wiegman: I´m disappointed and sad about Earps´ retirement

England Women’s manager Sarina Wiegman expressed her disappointment and sadness about Mary Earps’ retirement from international football.

Goalkeeper Earps announced her decision on Tuesday, which came as a shock with the Women’s Euros starting on July 5, where the Lionesses are defending champions.

The 32-year-old kept four clean sheets in six games in the previous edition of the tournament, when England beat in the showpiece match to lift the trophy.

Earps has earned 53 caps since her debut in 2017, and also played a starring role in her team’s run to the World Cup final back in 2023.

Her performances between the sticks saw her win the Best FIFA Goalkeeper award in successive years, as well as the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

However, the 32-year-old has lost her starting place to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who wore the number one shirt in each of England’s last three fixtures.

Wiegman explained that her disappointment comes from her desire to have Earps in the team, but she won’t let it cloud the journey they have been on together.

“I am really disappointed and sad that she is not part of the team because I want her in my team,” Wiegman said.

“That must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us.

“I want her in my team. She has done such a great job for England. She has made a massive difference, and we have had an incredible journey so far, and I really cherish that.”

One day ’til matchday.

Let’s do this pic.twitter.com/BrQihp3NUn

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 29, 2025

“Of course, it’s hard,” Wiegman responded when asked if the disappointment became an annoyance.

“But I want to keep to disappointment. 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 and that’s what makes it really hard.

“We have to move on too. We have a game tomorrow. We are going into the Euros and after that we can think about those things.”

Captain Leah Williamson also said she will miss Earps’ presence in squad, considering her a close friend in the sport.

“She’s one of my closest friends in football. I’m devastated because I love her. I’m sad those memories won’t continue,” she said.

England’s first game without Earps will be a Women’s Nations League fixture against Portugal on 30 May.