England manager Sarina Wiegman's ‘honest conversations' come with mixed results

New York Times

4 days ago

They say honesty is the best policy.
Ahead of the 2022 European Championship, England players praised manager Sarina Wiegman for her transparency. They knew where they stood and accepted their role.
'The fact she's very honest with you, you get the respect and trust,' former England international Jill Scott, who played just 53 minutes throughout Euro 2022, previously told The Athletic.
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'Sometimes you might have managers who don't want to have difficult conversations because they care too much. I'm not saying she doesn't care but Sarina wants to win.'
But this year, such transparent and proactive conversations have led to two big names hanging up their England boots.
This week, Wiegman had, in her words, 'honest conversations' with midfielder Fran Kirby that she would not be selected for this summer's Euros squad unless another player got injured. The 31-year-old had intended to retire from international duty after the major tournament, but that decision was precipitated once Wiegman had sealed her fate.
'It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time,' Kirby told the BBC. 'It was emotional for both of us, but we both respected what each person was saying.'
Kirby was not included in England's Nations League game-day squad against Spain, which England lost 2-1, halting their progress to the competition's semi-finals. Immediately after the game, Kirby told her team-mates she would retire.
'I knew it was the moment where I'd outstayed my welcome,' she told ESPN.
'Every single call up, I accepted my role and did whatever was needed for the team,' she said in an FA statement released just before 9 pm (GMT) on Tuesday. 'I've always been there to help England win.'
Kirby's retirement is the second in just over a week following Mary Earps' shock announcement.
Wiegman said in an FA statement she 'had hoped Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer' and had had 'conversations' with her.
According to sources with knowledge of the matter, who wish to remain anonymous to protect relations, Wiegman had told the 32-year-old that she would not be the No 1 goalkeeper for the Euros, making way for Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. Earps said it was the 'right time to step aside' and 'give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive'.
On the one hand, such transparency provides clear expectations and removes any possibility of players sitting on the bench, disappointed at the lack of game time.
In one way, such honesty has left Wiegman shorthanded. The two back-up goalkeepers, Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse, do not have an England appearance between them. Kirby's situation is very different to Earps's, given Wiegman had already decided not to take her on the plane to Switzerland, but it leaves the Lionesses lightweight in midfield.
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Kirby started every game for the Lionesses at Euro 2022 in a hybrid attacking midfield role. She formed a successful midfield trio with Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, with Stanway pushing up alongside her in possession. Dubbed the 'mini Messi', Kirby's intelligent movement with runs in behind as well as her through balls caused serious problems.
'She is an incredible footballer,' said Wiegman after the Spain defeat, 'her touch, her positioning, her vision, her game-understanding and her connections.'
Walsh and Stanway, the latter of whom played the most minutes (45) against Spain since her knee injury in January, will surely start, but there is no like-for-like back-up for them.
Grace Clinton, suspended against Spain, can perform that role, but is not as defensively disciplined as Stanway. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Missy Bo Kearns, who can play deeper in midfield where England are short, replaced Stanway at half-time to make her England debut, but in very difficult circumstances, given a Nations League semi-final place was at stake.
Other midfielders like Ella Toone and Jess Park, as well as Clinton, are all attacking No 10s but no one has nailed down that spot quite like Kirby had done in the past.
Wiegman said she wants someone who keeps the ball, plays in the pocket, but also runs in behind and can play through balls.
Park started back-to-back games against Portugal and Spain but was replaced by Kirby and Toone respectively. The Manchester City player is a skilful dribbler and can get out of tight spaces but she was outmuscled by Spain's Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas.
England's midfield, especially after Stanway went off to manage her minutes, suffered against Spain's dominance as they turned the screw. In Claudia Pina, Spain have a game-changing substitute. The expansive attacking midfielder, who tucks in from the left wing, picked the ball up between the lines and hit a superb second-half brace.
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Lauren James, another player who can fill a hybrid No. 10 role, is still recovering from a hamstring injury. However, the 23-year-old has thrived with more space on the wing. Wiegman said she is 'positive' about James' recovery. 'On July 5, I have to make a decision and see how good everyone is,' said Wiegman, who will adapt according to England's game plan and opposition.
'I will start the one in the best form and best for the team.'
Wiegman privately communicating to players where they stand is not new, but public retirements ahead of a major tournament are far from ideal preparation.