‘i Make Decisions To Win’: Wiegman Defends Her Handling Of Earps And Hampton

Sarina Wiegman has defended promoting Hannah Hampton arsenic England’s No 1 complete Mary Earps, saying she makes “decisions to win”, aft Earps criticised nan caput coach’s move successful her autobiography.

Wiegman, speaking astatine Wembley aft nan announcement of her squad for fixtures against China and Ghana, said she had “really enjoyed moving pinch Mary” and would cherish their clip together pinch England but that she would make nan aforesaid determination again.

Earps announced her status from world shot soon earlier nan Euros successful Switzerland successful nan summer, aft Wiegman made Hampton nan starting goalkeeper successful spot of Earps, nan England No 1 astatine nan 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup. Hampton’s distribution is wide viewed arsenic hugely important to nan measurement England want to play.

“We had a very bully goalkeeper portion and nan 2 goalkeepers were competing for nan No 1 spot,” Wiegman said. “We kept communicating and we tried to support everyone successful nan champion imaginable way. I can’t power really it comes crossed and there’s ever learnings, but I don’t think, looking astatine nan bigger picture, I would person done things differently.

“My reality and personification else’s reality tin beryllium different because really you acquisition things is very individual. I conscionable cognize what I want to do is create an situation wherever we speak up, wherever I springiness clarity, wherever I ever pass pinch players erstwhile it’s necessary, and also, I make decisions to win.”

Hampton shone astatine nan Euros successful Switzerland, helping England triumph connected penalties successful their quarter-final against Sweden and successful nan last against Spain, wherever she saved spot kicks from three-time Ballon d’Or victor Aitana Bonmatí and Arsenal’s Champions League victor Mariona Caldentey.

Wiegman would not beryllium drawn connected conversations she had pinch players. “I ever support conversations private,” she said. “ I’ll support that backstage because that builds spot … When they consciousness that things enactment pinch me, they cognize nan doorway is ever unfastened and will travel successful and support sharing things. That really helps connected and disconnected nan transportation and helps to link people.

“So, that’s my approach. We create an situation wherever we want group to beryllium themselves. Everyone’s different and that’s bully too, because you want to get to cognize each other. What you’re trying to do is to cognize nan personification truthful good that you cognize really to support them successful nan champion way, but besides successful moments situation them if necessary.”