Mary Earps, the celebrated goalkeeper who helped propel England to victory, harbored deep reservations about the player chosen to succeed her. Before her own international retirement, she confronted manager Sarina Wiegman, voicing a startling concern: the recall of Hannah Hampton felt like a reward for disruptive conduct.
Earps had stepped away from England duty shortly before the Euros, a decision that paved the way for Hampton to take the starting position. Hampton ultimately played a pivotal role in England’s subsequent triumph, dramatically saving two penalties in a shootout against Spain.
The seeds of Earps’ discontent were sown long before the tournament. In her autobiography, she details how Hampton’s actions frequently jeopardized training sessions and strained team resources, creating an unusual level of friction within the highly successful squad.
Hampton’s initial period with the team had been promising, serving as an unused substitute during England’s 2022 Euros win. However, a subsequent falling out led to her being dropped from the squad in October 2022, with reports citing a problematic attitude as the reason.
The recall of Hampton in 2023 ignited Earps’ frustration. When Hampton was given the starting nod in a crucial qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, Earps directly challenged Wiegman, stating bluntly that “bad behaviour is being rewarded.”
As Hampton gained more playing time, Earps felt a growing distance between herself and Wiegman. A sense of injustice washed over her, bringing her to tears as she perceived a betrayal of the values she held dear.
The core of Earps’ dedication – a complete commitment to the team and the job – began to unravel. She felt the trust and respect she had for Wiegman were eroding with each decision that favored Hampton.
Wiegman’s final confirmation of Hampton as the first-choice goalkeeper in April 2025 proved to be the breaking point. Earps announced her retirement, accusing Wiegman of a lack of transparency and honesty regarding the situation.
She expressed her profound disappointment to Wiegman, believing the manager could have been more forthright. Wiegman countered, claiming her decision was recent and that she had been open in her communication, a response Earps dismissed as insincere.
The entire experience left Earps feeling deeply betrayed, a stark contrast to the unwavering dedication she had previously poured into representing her country. The unraveling of her relationship with Wiegman marked the end of a remarkable chapter in English football.
