Key Highlights
- Mary Earps retired from international football ahead of Euro 2025.
- Hannah Hampton was reintegrated into the Lionesses squad in 2023 despite concerns raised by Earps.
- The decision to re-integrate Hampton led to tensions between Earps and England coach Sarina Wiegman.
- Earps revealed her same-sex relationship for the first time in her autobiography “All In.”
Conflict Over Reintegration: A Tale of Two Goalkeepers
The saga of Mary Earps, once England’s No. 1 goalkeeper, and her controversial retirement from international football ahead of Euro 2025 is now the subject of intense scrutiny. In a candid exposé, Earps has revealed the underlying tensions that led to her decision to step away from the national team.
A Turbulent Reintegration
Earps spoke out about her concerns over Hannah Hampton’s re-integration into the England squad in 2023. According to Earps, Hampton’s behavior had “frequently risked derailing training sessions and team resources” during the Euro 2022 campaign under coach Sarina Wiegman. Despite these reservations, Wiegman decided to give Hampton a second chance by including her for the Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden in April 2024.
In an exclusive excerpt from her upcoming autobiography “All In,” Earps recounts the conversation with Wiegman where she expressed her discomfort:
“I don’t get it.
It’s a qualifier match. And bad behaviour is being rewarded.”
This decision, as Earps describes in the book, was pivotal in her final decision to retire.
Final Call: A Last Camp and Beyond
The turning point came when Wiegman confirmed Hampton’s position as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the Euros. This news struck a profound blow to Earps, who had been England’s top choice for nearly three years:
“Then came the words I’d waited over 12 months to hear: ‘I’ve decided Hannah’s the No. 1 for now.’ I felt the weight of my heart sink to the floor and the relief that I had finally had clarity lift from my shoulders all at once.”
Earps was initially reluctant, but in the buildup to PSG’s league semi-final play-off in May 2024, she decided to reverse her decision:
“Dubiously, I told her: ‘OK, I’ll continue.’ She was pleased. Then, before we left the call she offered up, in passing: ‘Well done, I saw you won last night.’
Despite this temporary reprieve, Earps ultimately decided to retire after Euro 2025:
“‘I can’t do it,’ I said. ‘Wow,’ came the reply.
Her only word shook me. ‘I can’t believe it,’ she said. ‘I’m so disappointed. What made you change your mind?’ ‘I don’t think I ever really did,” I replied. I couldn’t have been more honest. I had been all along.”
A Personal Revelation
In her autobiography, Earps also took the opportunity to come out as part of a same-sex relationship for the first time:
“I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one, but it would have felt inauthentic not to include something so important to me in this book. I’m in a really happy relationship.”
Earps’ decision to share her personal life has been praised by LGBTQ+ organizations and figures alike:
“LGBTQ+ charities and organisations have also praised her announcement, including the founder of the British LGBT Awards, Sarah Garrett, who called Earps ‘a hero and inspirational role model to young women and girls all over the world.'”
Conclusion
The Impact on the England Lionesses
The retirement of Mary Earps has significant implications for the future of the England national team. Her decision follows a tumultuous period marked by internal conflicts and strategic decisions that have reshaped the squad’s dynamics.
Hannah Hampton, now firmly established as Wiegman’s first-choice goalkeeper, has played a crucial role in the success of the Lionesses during Euro 2025:
“She would go on to save two penalties as England beat Spain to win the Euros in the summer.”
As the team looks towards future competitions and the potential for further changes, the narrative around Earps’ retirement serves as a reminder of the complex interpersonal dynamics that can shape international sports teams.
