Latest news with #StGeorgesPark
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Thomas Tuchel refuses to 'sugarcoat' his criticism of his England players after lacklustre win over Andorra as the German admits 'impatience' over struggles
Thomas Tuchel has insisted that his critical comments toward the England players were necessary following a lacklustre 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday. The Three Lions needed a second-half Harry Kane winner to get past the side who are 173rd in FIFA's world rankings, and the players were booed by their own fans at half-time and full-time. Following the poor display, Tuchel was quick to lambast his players for their attitude against the minnows, claiming they 'lacked the seriousness' needed in what was a World Cup qualifier. England are set to take on Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on Tuesday evening, and ahead of the game, Tuchel responded to those who thought he may have been too harsh on his players at the weekend. 'I protect my players, I said no names of players, it is not an individual matter,' Tuchel said in a packed press room at St. George's Park. 'But as I said, as a team we did not reach our standards and I did not like the last 20 minutes. I felt we didn't play seriously enough in what we needed to do in a World Cup qualifier. 'What I have told you I have already told the team directly. Why should we sugarcoat it? You have been in the stadium, why should I tell you that we had a good game? No harm done. 'We can handle criticism. I have always strongly believed that a group of football players can speak honestly to each other, I include myself. Now it's on us to do better. 'The attitude towards training and in camp, the commitment from the players, was outstanding. Everybody wanted to be there, to be involved and to play in this game. We take our analysis from this and try to do better of course.' 'There is no reason to only look at the negative side of things. After the game, we were critical which is maybe a good thing to improve. It's a learning at the moment. Today will be our 11th training session together, the same as one-and-a-half weeks in club football. 'We need to worship training and every minute in matches. Of course, we learn stuff. It's good to see players in tight situations and in moments when things are not easy.' With three wins and three clean sheets from his first three matches, Tuchel has had a record-breaking start to life as England boss. However, the performances on offer have left a lot to be desired, and optimism feels low with the World Cup just 12 months away. We have yet to see Tuchel's true imprint on the Three Lions after six months on the job, and the former Chelsea coach admitted he is 'impatient' when it comes to waiting for England to adapt to his style of football. Tuchel revealed that Bukayo Saka is set to start under his management for the first time against Senegal on Tuesday 'I'm very impatient, which is not always a good thing,' he continued. 'I'm always impatient because you step out into a stadium even if the fixture is not always that exciting, after a season fighting for titles, Champions League places. 'But for me personally, once I step into a good stadium, see the grass, see 7,000 supporters, I'm expecting something from myself and the players. 'It will be to see tomorrow, I am impatient and I want to do better. We are thinking of giving the players a little more freedom within the structure. I still think it was a very offensive structure and line-up to break the defence down. 'Tomorrow we face a strong and physically demanding team, but at first, we might not be so offensive but give the players more freedom to express themselves. Maybe on Tuesday, we will see the next step.' Tuchel revealed that Bukayo Saka is set to start for England under his stewardship for the first time against Senegal, while inferring that Kane will captain a much-changed side.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton reflects on 'the toughest season mentally' of his career... and reveals the advice he got from Arne Slot
Tyler Morton is looking ahead to the Under-21 European Championships with a smile on his face as he sits down to chat here at St George's Park. But before he looks forward he first he casts his mind back to a season at Liverpool that was the 'toughest mentally' to deal with in his career so far. Morton, 22, was not allowed to leave on loan and so he stayed at Anfield, making only 11 appearances all season. He did not appear once in the Premier League en route to the league title. 'I think it's been the toughest season mentally for me,' Morton explained. 'Obviously, I've coped with it very well because I've got good people around me, but it's been very tough. I think I've coped with it as well as I possibly could. 'I think when you're not playing as a footballer who's as hungry as I am, it does hurt. 'It's tough, especially when, in my opinion, I wanted to go out and I wanted to play and I wanted to go on loan and get my game time. 'But having chatted with the manager, having to stay, it could have worked out a lot worse than it did. It probably could have worked out a lot better than it did.' Morton is a glass half-full kind of guy, though. 'It's still been a good season,' he said. 'I've still developed and, as you said, I still feel really sharp and really ready to go.' In the background of this interview Liverpool team-mates Harvey Elliott and Jarrell Quansah are playing around as they wait for their turn in the player photoshoots. Elliott and Quansah have been vital to help Morton navigate a season of frustration. 'We've literally not left each other's side!' Morton laughed. 'So it's been lovely, it's been lovely. It's nice to have them here and I can't wait to play with them. 'I'm just really excited for them to show the fans, everyone, what they've done.' Has the lack of game-time been an elephant in the room? 'That's the main topic of conversation, isn't it?' he said. 'Game time, especially with two players as quality as they are. It's hard to not play every game, but it's hard to get minutes. 'Yes, the minutes have been very limited for all of us youngsters this year. But that's just, there's different playing styles with different managers. And yes, it's been a learning season. 'I think you've got to have these types of seasons where you're trying to learn and I think it's been massive for us.' Morton picked out Johnny Heitinga, Aaron Briggs and Sipke Hulshoff as crucial figures in his development over the course of the season. He was also effusive in his praise for boss Arne Slot. 'He's a very good manager with his tactical side of the game, the best I've probably seen,' Morton said. 'To be honest, tactics-wise, he's so on it and it's unbelievable. 'He's asked me just to be myself and to play the way he likes to play with his teams and I think I've done that when I've played, so it's been a good season.' Morton could talk Liverpool all day but he is here in his England kit eager to use all the conserved energy to help carry Lee Carsley's Under-21s to back to back Euros successes. He is eager to see England's youngsters show their talent on the biggest stage at the Euros 'I just want to show that it's England and we've got special players that are coming up through the ranks and players that are playing at top levels,' Morton said of his motivation in Slovakia, where England kick off their title defence on Thursday against Czechia, live on Channel 4. 'I think we've got a massive chance of going far in the tournament and maybe even winning it. I don't want to jinx anything, but we've got a long way to go. 'There's going to be some top players here, top teams. So I'm just excited to see where it goes and I'm ready to show everyone what we've got as a team.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Sarina Wiegman defends England's build-up to Euro 2025 and insists her Lionesses have 'moved on' after string of key players withdraw before the tournament
Sarina Wiegman insists England's Euro 2025 preparations are not being undermined by a crisis as she sought to move on from the most challenging week of her reign. The women's head coach revealed the 23 names she will take to Switzerland next month to defend the title they famously won three years ago but the atmosphere around St George's Park is considerably different now to how it was back then. Aside from seeing England lose 2-1 in Spain on Tuesday, Wiegman has had to contend with the unexpected retirements of goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby, as well the withdrawal of defender Millie Bright – they have all been huge characters in the Dutchwoman's four-year reign. This has been a remarkable narrative and while Wiegman bristled when the comparison was made, you did not have to think too hard about what the reaction would be like if, for example, Jordan Pickford, Jack Grealish and John Stones made similar decisions before a men's tournament. What could Wiegman say, then, to show that the events of the last seven days have not left an indelible mark on confidence and planning? 'That is not the case,' she insisted. 'We know what is happening in the team. I think – and hope – there is competition going on in the team. I feel very comfortable. I'm very happy with the team and I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to it. For me, it doesn't feel like a crisis at all.' Perhaps but the only way she will be able to prove that emphatically is through what her team do on the pitch; they face Jamaica on June 29 before starting what appears to be a 'Group of Death' against France on July 5 in Zurich; The Netherlands and Wales are their other opponents. It was clear to see Wiegman would love nothing more than to talk about the future – 'can we talk about the players that are here?' she asked at one stage – but it's very hard to do when figures as big as Earps, Kirby and Bright are suddenly no longer available. Earps, of the three, raises the biggest eyebrow. Wiegman, theoretically, could still call her into the squad, as UEFA have a clause that allows goalkeepers injured in the tournament to be replaced but it won't happen, as the pair haven't spoken since the 32-year-old went public with her decision. Plenty believe Earps made her decision from a fit of pique, given that Wiegman had made it clear to the PSG keeper she was no longer first choice, that role having gone to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. You also wonder why a player would retire, as being an international is the ultimate recognition. 'There were no calls (with Earps) – that is done now,' said Wiegman. 'There are two different situations and it is sad they are not in the team. I will always cherish what we have had we had such an incredible journey. But as this moment, we have moved on. 'You have to look at every individual situation. Some will say 'ok, I've had such an incredible time but it's time to move on.' That is what we hope – there is a natural progression and transition within the group. It's up the players to make the decision themselves.'
The Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
England squad for Euro 2025: Wiegman to name her final Lionesses 23
Update: Date: 2025-06-05T12:00:05.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Today is the big day. Sarina Wiegman will name 23 England players for their title defence at the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland from St George's Park. Wiegman will be taking a very different side to Switzerland than the one that triumphed on home soil in 2022. The former No 1 Mary Earps announced her shock retirement after being told she would have been backup goalkeeper to Hannah Hampton at the tournament. Fran Kirby also announced her retirement from international duty after being told she would not be selected before the vice-captain Millie Bright withdrew herself from contention, citing physical and mental burnout. The announcement will be made at 2pm BST. And, as always, feel free to send me an email with your thoughts, questions, predictions and musings.
New York Times
28-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Inside Mary Earps' shock England retirement: Anger from Wiegman, mixed feelings from team-mates
Mary Earps turned up to St George's Park, the England Football Association's national centre, on Monday, but she did not train like the rest of the squad. Instead, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, who paid for her flight from Paris, said goodbye to her England team-mates face-to-face before leaving camp. Advertisement Earps will play no part in the 2025 European Championships after deciding to retire from international football immediately. 'This is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive,' said Earps in an FA statement. The decision was a surprise to the players, coming just five weeks before this summer's major tournament and days before their Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain. However, England manager Sarina Wiegman had told the 32-year-old that she would not be the No 1 goalkeeper for the Euros to make way for Chelsea's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, who, like all in this article, wishes to remain anonymous to protect relations, there had been conversations between Wiegman and Earps about her retirement for the last 12 to 18 months. In April, Earps informed Wiegman about her decision to retire, but the England boss asked her to reconsider. This was not a snap decision from Earps. She described it as a 'difficult' one which she has spent a 'long time making' and not one she has made 'lightly' in the FA statement. In a short address to the squad on Monday evening, Wiegman expressed, in front of Earps, sentiments of frustration, disappointment and anger at Earps' decision before walking out of the room. The England boss did not thank the player in the meeting and there was no mention of Wiegman in Earps' statement either. In contrast, when Earps collected her Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award for 2022, she said: 'Sarina, I've run out of words to say thanks to you for the opportunity you've given me to chase my wildest dreams and for believing in me the way you have.' In an FA statement published on Tuesday morning, Wiegman said she had hoped Earps would play an 'important role within the squad this summer' and was 'disappointed'. 'Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football,' added Wiegman. 'We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League fixtures and the Euros.' Advertisement There were mixed feelings among the England squad over Earps' decision to retire now. According to sources, some felt the decision was selfish, but others thanked her for her longstanding contributions in person and online, and felt the way in which the situation had unfolded was very unfair to her. The battle for the No 1 spot came about when Earps withdrew with a hip injury in the opening minutes of England's qualifier against France in May last year. Hampton started the reverse fixture against France while Earps was recovering but also started the next two games that summer when Earps was available. In the autumn, winter and spring international breaks, Wiegman alternated her goalkeepers and gave them one big game each. Hampton started against Germany, in which England lost 4-3, while Earps started against South Africa, a 2-1 win. Then Earps started against the United States, a 0-0 draw, and Hampton started against Switzerland, a 1-0 win. In February 2025, Earps started against Portugal, a 1-1 draw, but Hampton got the nod against World Champions Spain, which England won 1-0. According to a source, Earps feels she has done nothing wrong to lose her place and has done her job every time she has pulled on the England shirt. Hampton has since started back-to-back games against Belgium in April, with England winning one and losing the other. Before the last game, Wiegman told ITV: 'I have two world-class goalkeepers. At the moment, Hannah is a little bit ahead.' Last season, Earps moved from Manchester United to PSG, who finished second to Lyon in the league, and she has had a mixed campaign. Both Earps and Hampton have played a very similar number of minutes and faced a very similar number of shots, but Earps' shot-stopping has not been as strong, conceding 1.6 goals more than expected, based on the quality of shots faced. Hampton, meanwhile, has prevented 2.1 more goals than expected. Of course, factors beyond their control, such as the defenders operating in front of them, come into play. Advertisement Hampton's distribution is also a big plus, but England will miss Earps' communication, experience and leadership on and off the pitch. Earps' retirement and its timing put England in a vulnerable position. Although a mainstay with Chelsea, Hampton does not have any major tournament experience. Should the 24-year-old get injured, Wiegman has only Manchester City's Khiara Keating and Orlando Pride's Anna Moorhouse to call, neither of whom has an England cap. Ellie Roebuck, Euro 2022 and 2023 World Cup squad member, who has 11 caps, is another option but she has not been selected for two and a half years. The Barcelona reserve goalkeeper suffered a stroke in February 2024 and missed the majority of the season. At the age of 32, Earps still has plenty of road ahead of her, especially as a goalkeeper, and there is no sign of her slowing down on the domestic stage. It makes the decision all the more intriguing. In her social media statement, she said she is 'excited' to focus fully on club football. 'I have so much energy to continue to strive for greatness, to learn and push myself, to maximise every last ounce of potential I have.' But for now, she will not wear the England goalkeeping shirt again, the one she fought so ardently for.
