Latest news with #RachelDaly
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Aston Villa's Daly signs contract extension
Former England international Rachel Daly has signed a new two-year contract with Aston 33-year-old has scored 59 goals in more than 80 appearances for the club, captaining the side on several scored 22 goals in the 2022-23 campaign, winning the Golden Boot and equalling Vivianne Miedema's record for the most goals scored in a single Women's Super League was also named the WSL Player of the Season for her goalscoring heroics as Villa finished a club record fifth in the retired from international football in April 2024, after starting every game in England's Euro 2022 success and helping them reach the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
In Mary Earps' departure, Sarina Wiegman faces the toughest challenge of her England tenure
Sarina Wiegman is not afraid of making big decisions. After the Netherlands' second group-stage game of an ultimately victorious 2017 European Championship, she dropped her captain, Mandy van den Berg, for the rest of the tournament. Advertisement The England boss did not recall former England captain Steph Houghton for the 2023 World Cup, despite external pressure. Mary Earps' shock retirement announcement, five weeks before England defend their European Championship title in Switzerland, is a different matter, though. reported that Wiegman had told Earps she would not be England's No 1. This time, the shoe is on the other foot. Wiegman was not the decision-maker. Parallels can be drawn with Rachel Daly's decision to retire in April 2024, the morning after she played four minutes of England's Euro 2025 qualifying win against the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman had hoped Earps would play an 'important role within the squad this summer', according to a Football Association statement. Advertisement When asked at her press conference on Thursday whether she had tried to convince Earps to stay, Wiegman said: 'She knows I want her in the team, so of course, we talked about that.' According to a source with knowledge of the matter, who, like all in this article, wishes to remain anonymous to protect relations, Earps informed Wiegman of her decision to retire in April, but the England boss asked her to reconsider. Wiegman is usually very straight-talking and pragmatic with the media. She can be blunt, especially after poor performances or defeats, but at Thursday's press conference, her tone was not as harsh as expected. Instead, she drew on emotions rather than concrete details, refusing to engage with 'private' conversations. She repeated she was 'disappointed', 'sad' and that it was 'hard' for both player and manager. 'She has done such a great job for England,' Wiegman said. 'She has made a massive difference and we've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that. That's where the disappointment comes from, too.' Advertisement While Wiegman expressed her sorrow in front of the media on Thursday, in a short address to the squad on Monday evening, with Earps present, Wiegman expressed, as well as disappointment, sentiments of frustration and anger at the goalkeeper's decision before walking out of the room. The England boss refused to thank Earps in the meeting when encouraged to do so by some players. When asked if disappointment tips into annoyance, given Earps' decision to withdraw five weeks before the Euros, Wiegman said she wanted to keep it to 'disappointment'. For Wiegman, this is by far the toughest task to be played out in public during her England tenure. First, she hates noise around the team. Advertisement 'She doesn't like that,' Arvid Smit, Wiegman's former assistant who will work with England after the Euros, told in 2023. 'If (leaks) happen, it can kill you as a team. She doesn't want the pressure to get in the way — don't be busy with what's happening outside of the bubble. She will not leave an opening for anyone who is outside the team. That's impossible. That's what makes her team so strong. You are in a bubble in a tournament. Together with staff and players, there's nothing going out and in. She manages that really well.' Second, she is always focused on what is best for the team and is reticent to talk about individuals. In Wiegman's eyes, no one is bigger than the team. Previously, for tournaments, Wiegman has communicated to players whether they are starters, substitutes or squad members, that she expects them to fulfil those roles even if their gametime is limited. Players appreciated such an honest approach during the Euro 2022 campaign, which garnered mutual respect and trust. Advertisement For Earps to retire, leaving her team worse off without her, is not in keeping with Wiegman's core principles. But Wiegman did not go there on Thursday; she kept it amicable, knowing that her squad, which is already splintering with the absences of Earps and Millie Bright, did not need further disruption. When asked what Earps' departure says about her team being a team, Wiegman paused. 'I don't know where you want to go with this question, but we're talking about Mary's retirement, and that's hard,' she said. 'It's hard for her, it's hard for us. We wanted her in our team. I just really want to keep it to that answer.' When asked if she feels a sense of togetherness among her team, she replied affirmatively, 'Yes, I do'. Advertisement The absence of Bright, like Earps, a key experienced leader in the squad, is another serious concern. Bright said on the Daly Brightness podcast that she is 'mentally and physically' at her limits and needs a break, forcing her to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain. The FA announced on Monday that she had to undertake 'an extended period of recovery'. Of course, the team goes beyond Earps and Bright, and ultimately, players and staff have one common goal: to win. Former Netherlands staff members have in the past praised Wiegman, ability to bring people together, but never has there been such a high-profile departure that went against the manager's plans and wishes. Whereas previously Wiegman has been so adept at running a tight ship, cracks are starting to appear with big-name players putting themselves first. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. England, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
6 days ago
- General
- New York Times
In Mary Earps' departure, Sarina Wiegman faces the toughest challenge of her England tenure
Sarina Wiegman is not afraid of making big decisions. After the Netherlands' second group-stage game of an ultimately victorious 2017 European Championship, she dropped her captain, Mandy van den Berg, for the rest of the tournament. The England boss did not recall former England captain Steph Houghton for the 2023 World Cup, despite external pressure. Advertisement Mary Earps' shock retirement announcement, five weeks before England defend their European Championship title in Switzerland, is a different matter, though. The Athletic reported that Wiegman had told Earps she would not be England's No 1. This time, the shoe is on the other foot. Wiegman was not the decision-maker. Parallels can be drawn with Rachel Daly's decision to retire in April 2024, the morning after she played four minutes of England's Euro 2025 qualifying win against the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman had hoped Earps would play an 'important role within the squad this summer', according to a Football Association statement. When asked at her press conference on Thursday whether she had tried to convince Earps to stay, Wiegman said: 'She knows I want her in the team, so of course, we talked about that.' According to a source with knowledge of the matter, who, like all in this article, wishes to remain anonymous to protect relations, Earps informed Wiegman of her decision to retire in April, but the England boss asked her to reconsider. Wiegman is usually very straight-talking and pragmatic with the media. She can be blunt, especially after poor performances or defeats, but at Thursday's press conference, her tone was not as harsh as expected. Instead, she drew on emotions rather than concrete details, refusing to engage with 'private' conversations. She repeated she was 'disappointed', 'sad' and that it was 'hard' for both player and manager. 'She has done such a great job for England,' Wiegman said. 'She has made a massive difference and we've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that. That's where the disappointment comes from, too.' While Wiegman expressed her sorrow in front of the media on Thursday, in a short address to the squad on Monday evening, with Earps present, Wiegman expressed, as well as disappointment, sentiments of frustration and anger at the goalkeeper's decision before walking out of the room. The England boss refused to thank Earps in the meeting when encouraged to do so by some players. When asked if disappointment tips into annoyance, given Earps' decision to withdraw five weeks before the Euros, Wiegman said she wanted to keep it to 'disappointment'. For Wiegman, this is by far the toughest task to be played out in public during her England tenure. First, she hates noise around the team. 'She doesn't like that,' Arvid Smit, Wiegman's former assistant who will work with England after the Euros, told The Athletic in 2023. 'If (leaks) happen, it can kill you as a team. She doesn't want the pressure to get in the way — don't be busy with what's happening outside of the bubble. She will not leave an opening for anyone who is outside the team. That's impossible. That's what makes her team so strong. You are in a bubble in a tournament. Together with staff and players, there's nothing going out and in. She manages that really well.' Advertisement Second, she is always focused on what is best for the team and is reticent to talk about individuals. In Wiegman's eyes, no one is bigger than the team. Previously, for tournaments, Wiegman has communicated to players whether they are starters, substitutes or squad members, that she expects them to fulfil those roles even if their gametime is limited. Players appreciated such an honest approach during the Euro 2022 campaign, which garnered mutual respect and trust. For Earps to retire, leaving her team worse off without her, is not in keeping with Wiegman's core principles. But Wiegman did not go there on Thursday; she kept it amicable, knowing that her squad, which is already splintering with the absences of Earps and Millie Bright, did not need further disruption. When asked what Earps' departure says about her team being a team, Wiegman paused. 'I don't know where you want to go with this question, but we're talking about Mary's retirement, and that's hard,' she said. 'It's hard for her, it's hard for us. We wanted her in our team. I just really want to keep it to that answer.' When asked if she feels a sense of togetherness among her team, she replied affirmatively, 'Yes, I do'. The absence of Bright, like Earps, a key experienced leader in the squad, is another serious concern. Bright said on the Daly Brightness podcast that she is 'mentally and physically' at her limits and needs a break, forcing her to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain. The FA announced on Monday that she had to undertake 'an extended period of recovery'. Of course, the team goes beyond Earps and Bright, and ultimately, players and staff have one common goal: to win. Former Netherlands staff members have in the past praised Wiegman, ability to bring people together, but never has there been such a high-profile departure that went against the manager's plans and wishes. Whereas previously Wiegman has been so adept at running a tight ship, cracks are starting to appear with big-name players putting themselves first.
The Independent
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
West Ham United vs Aston Villa LIVE: Women's Super League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
The new Women's Super League marks the start of a new era for reigning champions Chelsea, with long-serving boss Emma Hayes having departed in summer to start a new adventure with the USA Women's team. Last year they just about did enough to claim the title on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, while Arsenal will again hope to make it a three-horse race for the WSL title. Meanwhile Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham will hope to progress after further rebuilding this summer. Crystal Palace were promoted to replace Bristol City in the top flight, while on a wider note, the league is now under the management and operation of a new organisation set up to lead women's football towards further growth and progression, with Nikki Doucet overseeing both the WSL and Championship in a new phase for the game. West Ham United vs Aston Villa Lucy Parker (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 4 May 2025 15:38 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Foul by Lucy Parker (Aston Villa Women). 4 May 2025 15:38 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Goal! West Ham United Women 2, Aston Villa Women 2. Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box. 4 May 2025 15:37 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Miri Taylor (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 4 May 2025 15:36 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Foul by Miri Taylor (Aston Villa Women). 4 May 2025 15:36 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Hand ball by (West Ham United Women). 4 May 2025 15:35 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Goal! West Ham United Women 2, Aston Villa Women 1. Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Katrina Gorry. 4 May 2025 15:34 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Noëlle Maritz (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4 May 2025 15:32 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Attempt saved. Missy Kearns (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rachel Daly with a headed pass. 4 May 2025 15:32 West Ham United vs Aston Villa Attempt blocked. Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ebony Salmon with a cross. 4 May 2025 15:31
The National
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
Scotland captain makes long-awaited injury comeback
The Scotland captain, who had not played a single minute this season after undergoing knee surgery in October, was introduced in the 88th minute to a rapturous reception from the home support at Villa Park. Corsie replaced forward Rachel Daly, who was among the scorers in an eye-catching result that lifted Villa up to ninth in the Barclays Women's Super League table. (Image: WSL) It capped an emotional evening for the 35-year-old centre-back, who has endured a frustrating six-month spell on the sidelines. Corsie was an unused substitute in the opening game of the 2024-25 campaign before being ruled out for an initial eight weeks following surgery. A calf setback in January further delayed her comeback and forced her to miss Scotland's Euro 2025 play-off heartbreak against Finland and the past four UEFA Women's Nations League fixtures. Her return comes at a pivotal moment for the national side, with newly appointed head coach Melissa Andreatta set to name her first Scotland squad next month for crunch fixtures against Austria and the Netherlands. Corsie will now hope to play her way back into the international fold as she builds up fitness in the final stages of the domestic season. Villa manager Natalia Arroyo confirmed before kick-off that Corsie would be in the matchday squad, and her late cameo served as a symbolic moment for both club and country. The dominant win over second-placed Arsenal underlined Villa's recent improvement, with goals from fellow Scotland star Kirsty Hanson, Jordan Nobbs, Daly and a double from Chasity Grant sealing an impressive victory. But it was the return of Corsie - Scotland's most experienced defender and a natural leader - that may prove just as significant in the weeks ahead.
