Hannah Hampton reveals how the England squad reacted to Mary Earps’ international retirement | OneFootball

Hannah Hampton has responded to Mary Earps’ (pictured) international retirement. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Hannah Hampton has opened up on how the England squad reacted to news that Mary Earps had retired from international football.

The Chelsea goalkeeper has gone from Mary Earps’ understudy to England’s undisputed No. 1 going into Women’s Euro 2025.

In April, Sarina Wiegman said that Hampton was “a little bit ahead” of Earps to start for England this summer.

The decision was made for Wiegman when Earps announced her shock retirement in the week leading up to the England manager’s squad announcement.

Hampton has now broken her silence on Earps’ international retirement.

How did Hannah Hampton and Lionesses react to Mary Earps’ international retirement?

England No 1 Hannah Hampton revealed that the Lionesses squad “found it difficult to come to terms” with Mary Earps’ decision to retire from international football.

However, as per the Daily Mail, Hampton insisted it was a decision that the England squad had to “respect”.

She said: “I think there’s been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn’t deserve, with everything that she’s achieved in the game, as well as putting women’s goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation. Goalkeeping was never really a thing, and Mary’s changed that.”

Hampton revealed that she sent a text to her former international teammate, but doesn’t expect anything back.

She said: “I think I’ve done everything I need to do. I’ve sent her a text, and I congratulated her on a very successful international career, and I think that’s all I really can do.

“I don’t think there’s anything else, and I don’t really… I’m not expecting anything back. She’s been an unbelievable player. We’re going to miss her as a person here. She’s a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed to.”

Why did Mary Earps retire from international football?

The Telegraph reported that Mary Earps decided to retire from international football after discovering that she would be back-up to Hannah Hampton at this summer’s Euros.

Earps said in her announcement: “I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.

“I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly.

“This is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.

“Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life. I’m rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.”