Derry City distances itself from McClean’s therapy remarks

Derry City has distanced itself from James McClean’s remarks rejecting therapy, while his wife, Erin, says she disagrees with his views and believes he has been struggling for some time. McClean made the comments in an interview about his book, The Walls. Asked about therapy, he said he saw speaking to someone about his feelings and emotions as a sign of weakness and had no interest in doing so. His remarks were attributed to an interview published over the weekend. In a statement, Derry City said McClean’s views did not reflect the club’s beliefs. It said it prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of its players, staff and wider community, and encourages anyone facing mental-health challenges to speak openly and seek support. The club also said it had accepted an invitation from Men’s Action Network to discuss the issue. Erin McClean responded on social media, saying she had been strongly encouraging her husband to seek therapy to address issues from his early life and to face the end of his football career. She said she did not agree with his position on therapy and mental health. She described him as struggling and said she believed he had been for some time. Erin added...