England Lionesses Face Key Retirements Ahead Euro 2025 Squad Announcement

England women's football team manager Sarina Wiegman has dismissed suggestions of a crisis ahead of Euro 2025 despite the shock retirements of key players Mary Earps and Fran Kirby and the withdrawal of Millie Bright due to mental and physical health concerns. Wiegman emphasized her confidence in the 23-player squad she has named, asserting that the team atmosphere remains strong and that the increased media attention on women's football creates more noise, not necessarily turmoil. She defended her straightforward communication style, stating honesty is crucial even if some players react negatively, and expressed optimism about players like Lauren James recovering from injury in time for the tournament. England, the defending champions, will face a challenging group including France, the Netherlands, and Wales, with Wiegman focusing on moving past distractions and concentrating on football preparations. Despite the upheaval and scrutiny, Wiegman maintains that training sessions have been positive and the squad is ready to defend their title. The manager called for focus on the players who are present and insisted that the noise surrounding the team is a normal part of tournament build-up amplified by increased media coverage.