Unapologetically Me: Has…

In case you haven’t heard, Mary Earps has released a new book titled “All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me.” The former England goalkeeper has faced intense scrutiny this week and participated in numerous interviews in an attempt at PR damage control, which, in some instances, has only intensified the controversy.

Her critiques of Hannah Hampton, who took her place as the starting goalkeeper, along with the breakdown of her relationship with England manager Sarina Wiegman, have taken center stage since excerpts were shared in The Guardian. This has incited a flurry of commentary and criticism, as well as some instances of schadenfreude, causing Earps considerable distress.

In her book, she speaks candidly about her experiences, from childhood bullying and struggles with body image to the challenges of carving a space in a competitive sport. She also explores her journey to self-discovery, her rise to becoming a globally recognized and acclaimed goalkeeper.

– Earps vs. Hampton: Key developments from ex-England teammates
– Keogh: World Cup qualifiers: Lionesses to face Spain in Euros final rematch

Upon retiring from England five weeks prior to Euro 2025, Earps expressed her desire to exit “gracefully.” However, she felt it resembled a “big business breakup” more than a dignified departure, with “petrol poured on the flames rather than sand to soften the transition.” Amid the backlash, her book presents an unfiltered view of the struggles elite athletes face when coming to terms with losing their passion and navigating identity shifts.

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Just under a year ago, while walking from Wembley underground station to the stadium, Earps’ name was everywhere. England faced the United States, with children proudly wearing jerseys flaunting “Earps No. 1″—one of the few available. Her image adorned scarves, and even appeared on a young fan’s Christmas jumper. She had been celebrated as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and her likeness was featured in Madame Tussauds. After her viral penalty save in the 2023 World Cup final, she was back-to-back goalkeeper of the year.

However, just 11 months later, Earps is seen as the past, her place taken by Hampton—the present and future of the team. Before England’s latest match against Australia in Derby, a merchandise stall outside Pride Park offered various player-branded items. While scarves featuring players like Beth Mead and Ella Toone sold well, newer favorites like Michelle Agyemang and Hampton took the spotlight—whereas a discounted “Mearps” scarf lingered in the back.

This decline from the top to international retirement in May 2025 is a key theme in her book. The transition stemmed from Wiegman’s strategy, which required better distribution from goalkeepers, leading to Hampton’s selection, justified by the team’s performance in Euro 2025. As Earps confronted the loss of her starting position to her “competitor,” her anguish became palpable.

“The rug was slowly being pulled from beneath me, and I was torn between my feelings and reality,” she writes.

It’s a tumultuous experience, and much of Earps’ narrative portrays her ongoing struggle between her identity and her profession. This tension permeates the book, offering a stark, honest portrayal—there are heart-wrenching passages discussing her mental struggles and experiences with bullying, as well as her tumultuous relationship with her own body. She reflects on feeling isolated during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and her battle to regain control over her life. Her candidness about her long-term relationship with her partner Kitty and her journey to freeze her eggs is commendable and likely to resonate with many readers.

The book’s central theme revolves around Earps’ quest for validation—whether from her father, clubs, or eventually from her national team. She vividly recounts the despair she felt when she was informed that she would not be included in an England squad after having been assured of her selection by then-manager Phil Neville.

Yet, there follows a pivotal shift and a resurgence. Wiegman appointed her as England’s No. 1, and the national team environment became her “safe haven.” The communication with Wiegman marked a deep bond. Reflecting on the conversation, she noted: “It was the most direct and clear discussion I’d had with a manager…. It fostered a connection I would come to trust and respect deeply.” The run-up to Euro 2022 heralded the “return of Mearps.”

She recounts memorable moments, like dancing on tables during a press conference post-Euro 2022 victory. Her legendary penalty save in the 2023 World Cup final catapulted her into even greater fame, despite the book’s opening chapter neglecting to mention that England lost the match. Earps describes the save as a peak moment in her career, stating, “My penalty save was celebrated as heroic and, in fact, flawless.”

This World Cup coincided with her advocacy for change in women’s sports, including calling out Nike over its lack of support for female goalkeepers and pushing them to sell her jersey (albeit without mentioning her affiliation with Adidas). She reflects on navigating her rising fame, saying, “After years of feeling invisible, my status transformed overnight, albeit it took 20 years of hard work.”

She discusses the financial opportunities that arose, recalling times when she resorted to taking leftover food from the Manchester United canteen to make ends meet. Following the World Cup, she raised her ambitions, realizing that with a larger platform, she could help improve women’s football and sports overall.

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However, the narrative surrounding Earps, Hampton, and Wiegman has garnered significant media attention. The early indications of friction between Earps and Hampton can be traced back to the aftermath of Euro 2022, where she openly critiqued Hampton’s behavior. After being excluded from subsequent camps, Hampton was recalled for the 2023 World Cup.

Following the World Cup and her impressive penalty save, the England team faced a setback by failing to qualify for the Olympics. This marked a significant turning point as the team began looking ahead to Euro 2025 and planning for transition.

“Upon arriving in Marbella for the England camp in February 2024, I anticipated returning to a familiar comfort,” she writes. “Yet, from the outset, I felt an unsettling atmosphere—something had changed, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.”

After observing Hampton start against Austria while she returned for the match against Italy a few days later, Earps reflects on a teammate’s comment during their flight home: “‘This is pointless, I’m done, I’m retiring.’ Then she added, almost casually, ‘It’ll be you next.'” The build-up to her eventual exit from the team before the Euro was characterized by a deepening emotional struggle and an existential questioning of her identity.

But her account is equally engaging. From an outsider’s perspective, we are curious to uncover the realities behind elite sports. Earps’ exploration of her emotional rollercoaster and unanswered questions during the 15-month span—from Hampton’s breakthrough in February 2024 to Wiegman’s ultimate decision—reveals her internal struggle.

She offers an honest depiction of the panic attacks she experienced, recalling a time she felt transported back to her childhood when “I loved football, but it didn’t love me back.” Throughout 2025, she recounts ongoing conversations in search of understanding and clarity.

Earps characterizes her relationship with Wiegman as “unrecognizable, opaque, and profoundly cold.” As she neared the Euro 2025 squad announcement, she likens her situation to a frog in gradually boiling water: either she could continue to suffer in a stifling environment or make an escape. She reveals a sense of relief when Wiegman affirmed in April 2025 that Hampton would be starting goalkeeper.

“Then came the words I had anxiously awaited for over a year: ‘I’ve decided Hannah’s the No. 1 for now.’ I felt my heart sink while simultaneously experiencing a weight lifting from my shoulders.” Ultimately, she concluded, “I wasn’t entitled to keep my starting position if Sarina didn’t want me to; however, I was entitled to decide my next steps.”

Just five weeks ahead of the Euros, she chose to end her national team career.

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Despite the raw honesty and emotional revelations present in her memoir, it was predictable that the media would focus on her reasoning for retiring from England just weeks before Euro 2025. In sports, recent controversies often overshadow classic legends, resulting in polarized opinions.

Hampton has now ascended as the new “Queen of Stops,” succeeding as the world’s top goalkeeper. Following her standout performance in the Euros, she attracted thousands of new fans, highlighted by the moment Earps presented her with the goalkeeper of the year award at the Ballon d’Or—a symbolic moment of succession.

As for Wiegman, the coach who propelled Earps’ career remains a prominent figure in the sport, having transformed England’s trajectory. As the saying from “The Wire” goes: come for the Queen, and you’d better not miss.

This is why Earps’ criticisms have struck such a dissonant chord. They appear to stem from bitterness, complicated by ambiguity surrounding Hampton’s alleged “bad behavior.” As former England international Fara Williams mentioned in her TNT column: “If Mary is going to be forthcoming about the situation, she needs to provide more detail on the alleged misconduct instead of leaving it vague. I’m uncertain if there was indeed misconduct from Hannah, but regardless, she appeared to have faced consequences after being excluded from the squad.”

In her post-book interviews, Earps has been visibly emotional, alarmed by the public’s response. Her ex-teammate, Ellen White, expressed her discomfort on the BBC regarding the book’s content. Earps seems genuinely affected by the backlash, which has overshadowed her intention of sharing insights on resilience.

While the media frenzy around the Earps-Hampton relationship might settle over time, it will certainly remain a significant aspect of the legacy she aimed to create with this book.

“I envisioned a retirement, not a public execution,” she stated amidst the backlash following her decision to step away. However, given her commitment to being “unapologetically yourself,” it is important to accept both the praise and criticism of her narrative. As she noted while addressing feedback regarding her unexpected retirement, “I am who I am: Love me or hate me, at least respect my consistency and authenticity that allowed me to see my reflection clearly.”

The powerful emotional response elicited by this book underscores its candid nature. Whether Earps believes she was forced off the grand stage of sport or chose to step away, the book undeniably complicates her legacy.