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The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
FA issue England manager warning ahead of Euros final
The Football Association (FA) is determined to retain Sarina Wiegman as England manager, with chief executive Mark Bullingham stating she is "not for sale" at any price. Wiegman has reached five consecutive major tournament finals, including the last three with the Lionesses, and will lead them in the Euro 2025 final against world champions Spain. Her current contract with the FA extends until the end of the 2027 Women's World Cup, and Bullingham expressed confidence in keeping her in charge. Bullingham praised Wiegman as a "special coach" for her exceptional tournament record, work with players, and ability to maintain a cool head in critical moments. He dismissed suggestions that Wiegman should be considered for the England men's job, asserting it is disrespectful to view the men's role as more senior.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman ‘not for sale' as FA to fight off offers if England win Euro 2025
The Football Association is determined to fight off any offers for Sarina Wiegman if the Lionesses win Euro 2025, with chief executive Mark Bullingham insisting that England manager is 'not for sale' at any price. Wiegman has now reached five major tournament finals in a row, including the last three with the Lionesses, and has the chance to become the first England manager in history to defend a title when her team take on world champions Spain on Sunday. Wiegman is under contract until the end of the 2027 Women's World Cup and Bullingham, who called the Dutch coach 'special', is confident they can keep her in charge even if there is an increased demand for her services if England win the Euros. Sarina Wiegman led England to Euro 2022 glory and has taken them to another major final (Getty Images) 'It's not hard at all,' Bullingham said. 'We are committed to her until 2027 and she is committed to us. We have a new team coming in for her. We haven't quite started working on the plans for 2027 but I know her focus. Hopefully after success on Sunday, it will shift quite quickly to 2027.' There has been some criticism of England's performances during their run to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland and, while Bullingham said it was not his place to comment on whether Wiegman is taken for granted, he said it was no accident that she is into another final. 'We have a really special coach and we should all recognise that,' Bullingham said. 'I do think the tournament record is incredible but I also see the work she has done with players and the relationships and connections she builds in camps. It is phenomenal. 'She is just a cool head in the way she transmits that onto the pitch. She looks like the coolest person in the stadium and I have no doubts that helps in critical moments. I can only give my opinion but she is a really special coach and we are lucky to have her.' Wiegman will welcome two new additions to her coaching staff in September, with Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit replacing assistant Arjan Veurink, who will be taking charge of the Netherlands after Euro 2025. Bullingham said there have yet to have been discussions over extending Wiegman's contract, as it is too soon to look beyond the 2027 World Cup, and responded to a suggestion that she should be under consideration for the England men's job after Thomas Tuchel. 'My answer is the same now as it was in 2023,' Bullingham said. 'The starting point is it is almost disrespectful to assume the men's job is more senior to the women's. That is not the way we view it. 'I said two years ago Sarina could do any job in football, she is an amazing talent and we are delighted to have her running the women's team through to 2027.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
England keeper Earps to retire from international football
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has opted to retire from playing international football with immediate effect. WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official press release from The Football Association this morning. Advertisement The 32-year-old has enjoyed a hugely successful international career which has seen her collect 53 senior caps. Earps was a UEFA Women's EURO winner with England in 2022 while she also won the Women's Finalissima, two Arnold Clark Cups and the SheBelieves Cup with the Lionesses. Earps was a FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up with England in 2023 and won the Golden Glove at that tournament. Despite being an important player for England, Earps has deemed it to be the right time to hang up her boots on the international stage. Announcing her international retirement, Earps said 'I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players. 'I've spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive. Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I'm rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.' England head coach Sarina Wiegman will not call-up an additional goalkeeper for the upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain.
Telegraph
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Mason Greenwood abandons England to become Jamaica international
The Football Association has confirmed that Mason Greenwood is no longer eligible to play for England having now formally applied to switch allegiances to Jamaica. With Thomas Tuchel set to announce his first England squad next Friday, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham was asked whether Greenwood, who has been playing well for Marseille, could be included. 'So, my understanding is he's asked to switch. That's happened formally, so he wouldn't be able to because you can only switch once,' Bullingham said. Pressed on whether the 23-year-old, who has earned one England cap, had decided to change because he was going to be continued to be overlooked, as he was under Sir Gareth Southgate, Bullingham denied that Greenwood had ever been formally ruled out. 'No, we actually didn't have that communication,' he said. 'I know people asked Gareth about him and Gareth was up front in that he hadn't been in his thinking, because he hadn't been performing at that level, so I'm not aware of any communication we had with him. I don't think there was ever a request or anything like that. It just wasn't one we got to, so it's a personal decision by him.' Choosing Greenwood would, however, have been highly contentious. His career has been engulfed in controversy ever since he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault in January 2022. He was later charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which he consistently denied. All charges against him were dropped in February 2023. However, the incident led to him being sent out on loan to Getafe in Spain by Manchester United and then sold to Marseille amid widespread calls that he could no longer play for United, or be in the Premier League, or should represent England again. Greenwood's only cap came in 2020, when he was under 21, which means he was still able to change which country he played for. He qualifies to represent Jamaica, who are coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, through his father, who was born on the Caribbean island. Bullingham was full of praise for the work done so far by Tuchel, describing the former Chelsea head coach as 'brilliant' and 'charismatic' and revealing the German had drawn up a 'longlist' of 55 players under consideration for his first squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers at home to Albania and Latvia. Tuchel has spoken to all 55 players – including Arsenal's Ben White, who refused to play under Southgate and came home early from the last World Cup. 'He [Tuchel] realised early on that you don't build those connections in the 60 days you get together, so he's put a lot of effort into that,' Bullingham said. 'I think he's got 55 on this longlist and makes sure that he's got a strong connection with them, that they know that he's seen them. It's not only the players in England, it's players playing abroad as well, and I think that that will only stand us a good stead in the long run.' Tuchel and his staff – including assistant Anthony Barry – have watched more than 70 England players live since taking over at the start of the year and have held meetings with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Angel Gomes, who are among those playing overseas. Tuchel has been hired with the clear remit of winning next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Bullingham said there is no clause in his contract to extend his stay beyond then. 'I think he always said, I might be here for 10 years, but I'll only ever sign up in two-year cycles effectively,' explained Bullingham. 'And the reason for that is he just wants his sole focus to be on the next tournament and be really single-minded with the players on that. It's very early to judge, but I can say that he's made a brilliant impact already. So, we're very happy.' Tuchel is living in London and based out of the FA's training complex at St George's Park in Staffordshire. 'He's also integrated a small number of his sports team he brought with him into SGP. He's been up there a lot and spent a lot of time with people,' Bullingham said. 'We've already started looking at some of the challenges ahead in terms of America and the different dynamics that presents in terms of climate, distance, altitude, and that type of thing… he's really hit the ground running.' In a wide-ranging briefing Bullingham backed the idea of referees in the Premier League and English Football League wearing 'bodycams' – as is being trialled at grass-roots level – to cut out abusive behaviour. The FA is the disciplinary body for such matters and the issue has been highlighted in the week that it published claims Liverpool head coach Arne Slot clashed with referee Michael Oliver after the recent heated Merseyside derby draw away to Everton. Slot allegedly told Oliver 'if we don't win the league I'll f------ blame you' and was punished with a two-match ban, although he disputed the language he was accused of using. If Oliver had worn a bodycam then the dialogue and behaviour could have been formally checked. 'In the professional game, I think what bodycams are more about is are they something which will be really good for the broadcaster. I think there are different views on that,' Bullingham said, before adding: 'I personally think it is good and it is something which should be trialled and potentially allowed. I think initially it might be trialled without audio and then long-term trialled with audio.' Bullingham said the use of bodycams had already had a 'big impact' in amateur football. The cost, at £250, can be prohibitive, but there is talk of developing an app that can be used on a phone. 'I think there's more to go on that, so we'll look at some of the things we agreed with Ifab [International Football Association Board, the rule-making body] such as formalising captain-only speaking to the referee,' he said.
Express Tribune
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
West Ham's Lucas Paquetá faces FA betting charges, potential lifetime ban
The Football Association (FA) is pushing for a lifetime ban for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá ahead of his upcoming betting charge hearing, which is set to be one of the longest proceedings in FA history. Paquetá, 26, was charged in May 2024 for allegedly breaching FA betting regulations. The charges state that he attempted to manipulate matches by deliberately receiving yellow cards to influence betting markets for financial gain. The three-week hearing is scheduled for this month. In a statement at the time of the charges, the Brazilian international denied any wrongdoing. "I'm extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I've fully cooperated with their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name," he said. The FA and West Ham have declined to comment on the matter. However, sources close to Paquetá suggest he remains confident of proving his innocence. He insists he has never placed a bet on football and is determined to clear his name. Paquetá, who has been a key player for West Ham since joining from Lyon in 2022, could face severe consequences if found guilty, with the FA pushing for the harshest possible sanction.
