England head coach Sarina Wiegman says that she is ‘disappointed’ in Mary Earps’ decision to retire from international football.
Earps, 32, made the call on her future on Tuesday, telling fans “It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to wear this badge and represent my country.”
Speaking ahead of England’s UEFA Women’s Nations League clash with Portugal on Friday evening, Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman told media that she is ‘disappointed’ and ‘sad’ about the goalkeeper’s decision.
“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. That is also where the disappointment comes from.
“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.”
Conflicting reports have revealed information about Earps’ decision, some saying it was a ‘shock’ to the team and Wiegman, whilst others believe she has been weighing up the decision for months.
“The goalkeeper has had discussions with the Lionesses head coach, Sarina Wiegman, about retiring from international duty for 12 to 18 months,” reported The Guardian. “It is also understood that Earps informed Wiegman she was going to retire during England’s last camp in April, but was asked to reconsider.”
“Of course, we had conversations and as I’ve said I want to keep conversations confidential,” Wiegman expressed. “She knows I want her in the team so of course we talked about that. We have had conversations, we are in conversation all the time.”
Earps played every minute of the 2022 Women’s Euros, but has since seemed to be dislodged by Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who was given the nod over Earps to face Spain earlier in the year.
The goalkeeper’s immediate retirement leaves England with Hampton, Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse for the nation’s upcoming camp that kicks off at Wembley Stadium this Friday night.
