‘Really disappointed’ – Wiegman and Williamson respond to Earps’ decision to retire | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman says she is “disappointed” at Mary Earps’ decision to retire from international football ahead of the European Championship this summer.

The Paris-St Germain goalkeeper announced her shock decision this week, saying it was “the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive”.

England travel to Switzerland this summer for the Euros, and before that are set to take on Portugal and Spain in the Nations League.

And Wiegman admits it was a blow to lose Earps at such a crucial time.

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

“That 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 here because they are between us. It’s hard and it’s hard for her at the same time.

“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.”

Asked if she was annoyed by the decision and not just disappointed, Wiegman responded: “Of course it’s hard 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.”

England captain Leah Williamson also spoke of her disappointment at the decision, revealing she hoped she would change her mind.

“I would always try and change her mind because I want her as my teammate,” the Arsenal defender said.

“Us as players will know better than anybody else. We’ve been through journeys together and the demands on and off the pitch – there is so much that comes into play now. To come to that hard decision, I have to respect her for that but she knows I didn’t want her to leave.”