Sarina Wiegman dismisses talk of a crisis as England women’s team lose key players ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland

It’s been one of the most emotionally charged weeks in Sarina Wiegman’s time as England head coach—but if you’re expecting her to hit the panic button, think again.

Despite some high-profile player exits and a recent defeat, Wiegman is staying calm and focused on the bigger picture: defending England’s Euro title in Switzerland next month.

Not the Same Vibe as 2022

Wiegman has now named her 23-player squad for the upcoming Euro 2025 tournament.

And while there’s excitement in the air, the mood at St George’s Park isn’t quite what it was three years ago, when the Lionesses were flying high and on top of the world.

The team is dealing with big changes—and not just on the pitch.

In just the past week, England not only suffered a 2-1 loss to Spain, but they’ve also had to cope with three major blows: goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby both announced their retirements, and defender Millie Bright withdrew due to fitness issues.

These aren’t just players—they’re key figures who have defined Wiegman’s tenure.

Imagine This Happening to the Men’s Team

To put it in perspective, imagine if Jordan Pickford, Jack Grealish, and John Stones all stepped away just weeks before a major men’s tournament. The fallout would be massive.

So naturally, people have started wondering: is this a crisis moment for the Lionesses?

Wiegman doesn’t think so. “That is not the case,” she said firmly.

“We know what’s going on within the team. There’s healthy competition.

I feel very comfortable with the group we have, and I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead. To me, it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all.”

The Real Test Will Be on the Pitch

Still, the only way Wiegman can truly silence the doubts is through results.

England will first face Jamaica in a friendly on June 29 before heading into what many are calling a “Group of Death” at the tournament—starting with France on July 5 in Zurich, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Wales.

Wiegman is clearly trying to shift the focus to what lies ahead.

“Can we talk about the players that are here?” she asked during her press conference.

But it’s not so easy to change the narrative when three such significant names are suddenly absent.

Earps’ Retirement Leaves Questions

Among the departures, Mary Earps’ exit has sparked the most discussion.

Technically, she could still be called up if one of the goalkeepers gets injured—UEFA allows replacements in such cases.

But that seems unlikely. Wiegman admitted she hasn’t even spoken to Earps since the PSG keeper made her retirement public.

Some insiders believe Earps made the call out of frustration.

Wiegman had reportedly told her she was no longer the number one choice, handing that role to Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.

For many, stepping away from international football—especially just before a major tournament—felt like a bold and emotional move.

“There were no calls,” Wiegman confirmed. “That chapter is closed. Of course it’s sad.

We’ve shared an incredible journey. But it’s time to move on.”

A Natural Evolution

Despite everything, Wiegman is trying to frame these developments as part of a natural team evolution.

“Every player’s situation is different,” she explained. “Some feel it’s the right moment to step away after such an incredible run.

That’s what we hope for—a smooth transition, where the group evolves naturally.”

At the end of the day, the message from Wiegman is clear: she’s not looking back.

The focus is on the players who are still in the squad—the ones ready to fight to keep England on top.