Tuchel Excludes Maguire from England Squad for Nations League
Thomas Tuchel has turned to Manchester again – but not to Harry Maguire.
The England head coach has named Manchester United pair Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford in his latest squad for the extended international break, rewarding their club form with places in the group for Nations League games against Spain, Czechia and Croatia.
Maguire, though, remains on the outside looking in. And Tuchel has made it clear he was unimpressed with how the defender handled his World Cup omission.
Tuchel unimpressed by Maguire outburst
Maguire was left out of Tuchel’s World Cup squad despite re-establishing himself as a trusted figure under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. The decision hit him hard.
He went public with his frustration, posting on social media: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer."
The reaction didn’t stop there. His mother, Zoe, called the call “absolutely disgusted” in her own social media post, while his brother Joe wrote: “This might possibly be the worst decision I've ever seen in my life. No words."
As England prepared for the tournament without him, Maguire flew to New York to work on The Rest is Football podcast and offered his version of how he learned the news.
“He [Tuchel] FaceTimes everyone. It was quite an awkward call," Maguire said. "I said straightaway I was really disappointed. I thought I did enough to be in the squad and thought I could have helped and had a part to play on and off the pitch. He said he can't give me an excuse but he had gone with the four lads who got him through the qualifiers.
“It was tough to take. I did think I would be in the squad after being selected for the March camp under him for the first time. I did really well in both games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season really strongly."
Tuchel has now responded, and he did not hide his irritation.
After unveiling his latest squad, he told talkSPORT: “It does not help. I will not hold it against him for the rest of his life, because I’m not that type of person. I can forget easily and quickly.
“But I didn’t like it and it doesn’t help. I’ve not spoken to him since."
A line drawn, at least for now.
United duo make the cut
While Maguire waits and watches, two of his United teammates are very much part of Tuchel’s plans.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, whose rise at club level has been one of the stories of the season, keeps his place. Marcus Rashford joins him after playing his way back into contention with his recent performances.
Between them, they ensure United still have a strong presence in an England squad that will be tested by Spain, Czechia and Croatia in competitive Nations League fixtures.
Maguire, for the moment, is left relying on club form and time to repair both his England prospects and his relationship with the man who makes the calls.
