England head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed his displeasure with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire’s public reaction to being omitted from the national squad for the recent World Cup. Maguire, who has earned 66 caps for England, was reportedly “shocked and gutted” by the decision, which he shared on social media following the squad announcement. His mother and brother also voiced disappointment online, with strong language criticizing the omission.
Maguire revealed in a later interview that he was informed of his non-selection through a FaceTime call from Tuchel, describing the conversation as “awkward.” He said he was confident he would play a significant role given his performances both for England in March and his strong finish to the club season with Manchester United. Tuchel explained that the decision to exclude him was based on selecting the four defenders who had helped the team through the qualifiers.
While Tuchel stated he would not hold Maguire’s reaction against him indefinitely, he acknowledged it did not help the situation. “I didn’t like it and it doesn’t help. I’ve not spoken to him since,” Tuchel said, emphasizing that the team dynamic and behavior are crucial to his selection criteria. The coach also highlighted Maguire’s recent struggles with form and confidence at the club level, noting that the defender needed to regain his best performance to be a stabilizing presence on the pitch.
Tuchel’s latest England squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Spain, Czechia, and Croatia includes two Manchester United players—Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford—both of whom were also part of the World Cup squad. Mainoo did not appear in any World Cup matches, while Rashford was more involved.
The conversation about Maguire’s international future comes amid intense competition for defensive positions and his contract running down at Manchester United. Tuchel pointed out that when players face difficulties at club level, it can impact their selection for the national team, especially in demanding roles requiring leadership and reliability.
In addition to discussing the national team, Tuchel also previewed an upcoming challenging Premier League fixture, describing Arsenal’s visit to Sunderland as potentially the toughest test yet for his side. Sunderland have gained momentum through their cohesive playstyle and home support, making them a difficult opponent despite their lower league position. Tuchel emphasized the need for his team to respond after recent setbacks, including a narrow defeat to Liverpool and a prior win over Manchester City.