Sarina Wiegman ‘sad and disappointed’ by Mary Earps England retirement while Leah Williamson says keeper will be missed

SARINA WIEGMAN admitted to being “disappointed and sad” by Mary Earps calling time on her England career. 

And Leah Williamson revealed she was devastated, describing the former Lioness’s retirement as a huge loss for the team.

Today Wiegman and her captain publicly shared their thoughts in their first press conference in the wake of Earps’ bombshell announcement. 

Two days ago (May 26) the FA stated the Euros-winning shot stopper had decided to end run as an England player.

And the Paris Saint-Germain ace, 32, also shared her career update via her Instagram account. 

Earps standing down from international duty five weeks before this year’s Euros, means the tournament’s reigning champions will defend their title without their most experienced goalkeeper.

Head coach Wiegman is due announce which players have made it into her squad for this year’s Euros in Switzerland on June 5.

The Lioness boss, who still wants Earps as part of her squad, said: “I’m really disappointed and sad that she’s not part of the team because I want her in my team. 

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

“There have been a couple of conversations which I don’t want to share publicly because that’s between us and it’s hard for her at the same time.”

Earps, who has 53 senior international caps, started in all six games during England’s run to becoming European Champions three years ago. 

In Australia in 2023, she played a significant role in England reaching the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history,

Her performance in all seven games would see her win the tournament’s Golden Glove before later being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

During the contest’s final Earps produced a dramatic penalty save against Spain keeping out Jenni Hermoso’s spot-kick before her team fell to a 1-0 loss. 

However since last October the former Man United player has faced a battle to start with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. 

The Blues stopper started in five of England’s last eight international games.

Williamson, 26, who skippered the team during the 2022 Euros, said: “I’m devastated (by her England retirement) because I love her and love being her teammate.

“Mary is one of my closest friends in football.

“We have an extra pair of shoes to fill and also in a number of different areas.

“I’m sure the team will be ready for all those eventualities.”

Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Sarina Wiegman had told Earps that she would not be her No1 keeper for this year’s Euros. 

And The Guardian reports Earps, had in April, informed the England boss that she was thinking of retiring. 

However Wiegman remained tight-lipped on the exact details of her conversation with Earps. 

The Lioness chief said: “I am in conversations with players all the time.

“I don’t give any information about these private conversations we have.  

“Hannah Hampton is now the number one.

“Before that she was a little bit ahead but at moments you can’t look too far forward because you don’t know what things will happen.

“Things in football can change very quickly.”

England, who face Portugal at Wembley tomorrow and Spain away in the Nations League next Tuesday, have been hit by fitness issues. 

Aside from Ella Morris, 22, rupturing a knee ligament, Alessia Russo, 26, and Ella Toone, 25, will both miss tomorrow’s 7:45pm clash due to calf concerns.  

And vice-captain Millie Bright, 31, withdrew from England’s camp earlier this week with Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy called up in her absence. 

On the Daly Brightness podcast she hosts with ex-Lioness team-mate Rachel Daly, the 88-capped centre-back explained she was at her limit “physically and mentally”. 

This term the Chelsea skipper led the Blues on a treble-winning trophy charge, lifting the FA and Women’s League Cups and claiming an eighth WSL title. 

Of her withdrawal from this month’s England camp Bright said: “That is a really hard decision.

“But I think you know better than anyone as well – sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself.

“You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you.”

Bright’s England team-mate Williamson added: “That decision for Millie herself to say, ‘I need to take a break’ and to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do.

“She’s leading by example and I’ve personally given Millie a bit of space. 

“Naturally any support that she needs and anything that she needs from the team, we’ll be there to give it to her.”