For a player who started his career on the road to global success and stardom by relying on a second chance from England head coach Sarina Wigman, Mary Earps should be in the best position to understand what it’s like to come back from the cold.
Surely, in most of life, people should be given the opportunity to correct their past mistakes and thrive in their chosen careers, right?
That’s why Arps’ revealing comments in his forthcoming autobiography, All In, which reveal his strained relationship with England number one Hannah Hampton, are all the more surprising and disappointing, and have prompted a backlash on social media.
Mr. Arps said Mr. Wigman felt he was “rewarding bad behavior” by recalling Mr. Hampton. According to Arps, Hampton, then 21, had been dropped from the Lionesses squad after their Euro 2022 glory due to his “behind-the-scenes actions that frequently risked derailing practice sessions and team resources”.
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The Athletic’s Megan Feringa explains why former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has decided to open up now about her strained relationship with former teammate Hannah Hampton.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Earps, who joined PSG last summer, began to lose his obsession with the England No. 1 jersey when Hampton was given a starting spot in the Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden last spring.
Things didn’t work out with the Arps, the 32-year-old revealed in her book. “I don’t understand. This is a qualifying match. And bad behavior pays.”
Earps had already enjoyed extraordinary success wearing the number 1 jersey.
From leading the storming of Wiegmann’s post-match press conference after Euro 2022 success, to dominating the kit in the Lionesses’ run to the 2023 World Cup final, making an extraordinary penalty save in the final against Spain, winning the Golden Glove Award, and standing up to the might of Nike by questioning why the England goalkeeper’s replica kit was not available.
Mary Earps played every game as England won Euro 2022 title
It culminated in her overwhelming victory for the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. It seemed as if everything she touched turned to gold.
But Earps’ journey to becoming one of the best players in the world and admired by young girls across the country would not have been possible without Wiegman’s support and belief when she first took the England international job.
Earps was sacked by former England head coach Phil Neville in March 2020 and subsequently frozen out. It hit rock bottom for Arps, and in further excerpts from her book, which is currently being published in the Guardian, she reveals her struggles with food, alcohol and loneliness during the coronavirus lockdown.
Sarina Wigman trusted Mary Earps, but others, including herself, did not
Mr. Arps’ mental state led him to consider quitting soccer.
However, it was Wiegman who did not give up on Earps, including her in her first England squad in September 2021, bringing her two years on the international stage to an end.
At the time, Arps spoke of the “wild” turnaround. “It definitely feels different this time. I’m a little older, a little more experienced. The experiences I’ve had have taught me a lot and given me a different perspective on a lot of things.”
Arps became an established and experienced member of Wiegman’s inner circle. That was until things started to change when she lost her grip on the England No. 1 jersey and was informed that Hampton was “a little bit ahead of her” and would be her No. 1 from now on.
At Euro 2025 this summer, she earned her spot by directing her own Arps-style performance. As England defended their crown, he saved two penalties in the Player of the Match final shootout to win the Yassin Trophy at the prestigious Ballon d’Or 2025 in September.
Hannah Hampton wins Ballon d’Or award for best goalkeeper
Earps definitely should have been in Switzerland this summer, not only as Hampton’s backup, but also as the team’s experienced leader to help out the younger members. But she wasn’t.
His announcement of his retirement from the national team just five weeks before the tournament shook the team to its core. On reflection, Earps’ scathing comments may have made the team more harmonious, but there was still the impression of a player dissatisfied with losing his place in the team.
Being the number two goalkeeper at any club is a difficult role, especially if you climb to the top, but there are always challenges and personalities that are difficult to overcome.
Hampton has so far defended advice against Earps’ explosive comments, but Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastre was quick to defend her number one.
“I would also say it’s more respectful. From what I’ve read from Mary Earps, you can’t be disrespectful to your teammates and your coach. We’re talking about Hannah, but I also want to speak up for Sarina.”
“When you say something about a player who has won three Euros in a row, you should think twice before you say it. Hannah gets on well with us and everyone at the club – me, the staff and the players – is rooting for her.”
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Sky Sports’ Anton Troi reports on Mary Earps’ sudden retirement from international football five weeks before this summer’s Euros.
Of course, you would expect a certain amount of bad faith and candid commentary from any autobiography in order to increase book sales, and Earps’s case is clearly no exception.
Following her comments about Hampton and the ensuing backlash on social media, Ms. Earps issued a statement on Instagram saying she had been misrepresented and did not intend to “intentionally hurt” anyone. However, given that this is her autobiography and that she is writing in her own words the story she wants to tell to convey her position, few will be sympathetic.
“It’s not easy to be as vulnerable and open as I did in this book. I understand that my honesty and rawness will polarize opinion, and that’s okay. Everyone is entitled to feel what they feel, and I respect that.”
“The situation escalated quickly today, and the women were at odds with each other. It’s heartbreaking to be portrayed as someone you’re not.”
It’s no surprise that there is hostility and conflict in most football locker rooms across the country. That’s what sports are.
Having a competitive spirit and rivalries is good for the growth of women’s soccer, but it’s important not to cross the line.
Unfortunately, the criticism of Mr. Arps, who has done so much to expand the game’s audience and is a role model for many, goes too far.
