- Eidevall has resigned as Arsenal boss after a difficult start to the new season
- Arsenal had won just one of their first four Women’s Super League matches
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
England manager Sarina Wiegman says she was ‘stunned’ by Jonas Eidevall’s decision to step down as Arsenal head coach.
Eidevall took the decision to step down from his role on Tuesday after pressure and criticism from supporters and a disappointing start to the season.
Wiegman, who named her 25-player squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and South Africa, said she was sad to hear the news about Eidevall and that she had had a good working relationship with the Swedish coach.
“I just heard it, I was honestly a little bit in shock,” Wiegman said. ‘I didn’t expect that. Of course that is very sad.
‘It’s always sad, I didn’t expect it. I had a good working relationship with him. To be honest, I’m a little baffled.’
England manager Sarina Wiegman has expressed her shock at Jonas Eidevall’s departure from Arsenal
Eidevall resigned as Arsenal head coach on Tuesday after a difficult start to the season
Eidevall came under increasing pressure from supporters after Saturday’s loss to Chelsea
Wiegman also defended Mary Earps after the goalkeeper was left out of two league games for new clubs Paris Saint-Germain, who also failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage.
Earps has been a mainstay in the England team since Wiegman took charge in 2021, but the goalkeeper will face competition from Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who has started the last two international matches.
Asked about Earps not playing some games for PSG, Wiegman said: “You’re delivering this message as if she’s not a starting player for Paris, and I think she is,” Wiegman said of Earps.
“She’s the starting or No. 1 goalie. There is also competition there. That is also clear. She started this weekend. Moving to France is about adapting, a new situation.
‘Unfortunately they did not qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, which is a disappointment for them, for Mary and also for us because we want to see her in the Champions League too. So that’s not the start she had hoped for.
‘We know what she brings us. We also know there is a huge competition going on between her and Hannah.”
Wiegman also stressed that there is no doubt about Chloe Kelly’s place in the squad, despite her lack of playing time for Manchester City.
Mail Sport reported on Monday that Kelly could leave City following a rift in her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor.
Wiegman has defended goalkeeper Mary Earps after she missed two PSG matches
Chloe Kelly retains her place despite lack of playing time at Man City amid a rift in her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor
“She’s in a tough spot,” Wiegman said of Kelly. ‘I think City are in a really good position which shows they have stepped up their quality.
‘You saw that last week, of course at the start of the season and recently also against Barcelona. So there is a huge competition going on, it is the highest level and that is what she is competing for.
‘Of course she doesn’t get the minutes she hopes to get, but she has built up credit with us. She had no doubt that we would bring her in.”
Lauren James and Lotte Wubben-Moy are back in the squad after missing the July games due to injury, while Anna Moorhouse has retained one of the goalkeeper spots, with Khiara Keating out.
Manchester United’s Millie Turner has also missed out on a place in the squad, while Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker has been called up for the first time in a year after returning from injury.
England play Germany at Wembley on October 25 before facing South Africa in Coventry on October 29.