James McClean's wife has defended the former Premier League midfielder after he was criticised for controversial comments about men's mental health. Erin McClean spoke out after the ex-Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion player gave an interview in which he dismissed therapy as a sign of weakness.
McClean, now back home in Northern Ireland with League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City, made the remarks during a conversation with Paul Kimmage from the Sunday Independent about his new book 'The Walls.' The 37-year-old was asked whether he would consider therapy to address certain matters.
McClean's Therapy Comments Spark Backlash
McClean, known for his refusal to wear a Poppy, responded by highlighting how numerous players consult therapists hired by their clubs, though he has no interest. He said: "For me that's just weak. As a man I see that as weakness. I don't need to open up. I see it as a weakness that I'd have to speak to someone about my feelings; my emotions."
Derry City swiftly distanced themselves from McClean's remarks with a statement released on Monday evening, urging "anyone facing mental health challenges to speak openly, seek support and know they never have to face such challenges alone." Fans also displayed a banner during last night's 1-0 victory over St Patrick's Athletic stating "It's not weak to speak up."
Wife's Emotional Response
Now Erin McClean has said the former Republic of Ireland international - who left Wrexham for Derry but has since suffered injuries and failed to perform - is currently 'struggling.'
"As somebody who loves James, I want to respond to some of the comments around his interview with the 'Sunday Independent' about the issue with mental health," Erin posted on social media. "James made his comments in the context of admitting that I have been strongly encouraging him to seek therapy, to deal with issues from his early life as well as to face the end of his career. I do not agree with James' opinion on the subject of therapy and mental health."
She added: "In the book I talk about my worries about how James will cope with life after football. I am proud that in the process of working on the book he has opened himself up to difficult conversations and has allowed people to see some of his vulnerabilities.
"He is struggling at the moment and has been for some time. He may not agree with me sharing that but I've told him that I need to explain this. I'm working on getting him to a place where he recognises that speaking about this is not a sign of weakness. When James is suffering from stress or anxiety about a situation his instinct is to lash out."
Erin described it as "a daily battle in a year where I feel he hasn't been given the support that he requires when he is clearly struggling." She also noted that James is very supportive to personal friends going through difficult times, adding: "While he continues to push back at the idea of therapy for himself that does not mean he does not care about other people's struggles or the importance of seeking help."
Ongoing Dispute with Derry City
The remarks arrive amid a bitter and unresolved row with Derry City. The Ireland centurion re-joined his hometown club at the start of 2026, but his first campaign back at the Brandywell quickly descended into chaos as tensions between player and club boiled over behind closed doors.
A fortnight ago, McClean publicly rounded on the club, branding their attempts to terminate his contract as 'incomprehensible,' while making clear his ongoing hip problem is not severe enough to end his career, though he conceded he should have kept his own public criticism 'in-house.'
Derry hit back with an official statement on their website, declaring: "At all times, the club has sought to resolve this internal matter privately. Out of respect for confidentiality and the fact that this dispute involves sensitive medical details regarding James' hip condition, the club have previously refrained from making any public statement on the matter. While the PFAI and James have chosen to publicise selective elements of the medical advice received, the club does not propose to comment further on James' current medical condition."
