Harry Maguire opens up on ‘awkward call’ with Thomas Tuchel over England World Cup snub

Harry Maguire has revealed he learned of his World Cup omission via an “awkward” call with England manager Thomas Tuchel.The Manchester United defender has previously described feeling “shocked and gutted” after he was left out of the 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, in what was widely considered one of the surprise selection decisions.The 33-year-old, who featured at both the 2018 and 2022 editions, told Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football World Cup podcast on Netflix that he felt he should have been picked after impressing this season for United and in England’s international friendlies in March.

“He (Tuchel) FaceTimes everyone,” said Maguire. “It’s quite an awkward call.“I received a text around nine, ten in the morning saying can I speak to you today at 4pm.

It is quite a unique way to do it. It makes it harder for him to see our reactions.Thomas Tuchel (right) FaceTimed Harry Maguire to tell him he wasn’t included in his World Cup squad (Getty)“He said he can’t really give me an excuse but he said he had gone with the four lads who got him through the qualifying in the autumn camps.

“It was tough to take. I did think I was going to be in the squad after being selected for the March camp for the first time under him. I felt like I did really well in both of the games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season really, really strongly.”

“I was shocked. We had a few words. It was an honest conversation between us both.”

Maguire fears that this may have been his last chance of going to a World Cup, having competed at the previous two editions under Gareth Southgate.RecommendedFA chief outlines stance on Gianni Infantino’s controversial run for Fifa re-electionBukayo Saka admits fitness ‘gamble’ ahead of England’s World Cup openerNoni Madueke reveals England’s key quality that will be ‘crucial’ for World Cup success“I was really disappointed, I wanted to go to the Word Cup and play. I’m 33 now and 37 at the next World Cup, it looks far away.

“I told the manager I wasn’t demanding to go and start the games, I’d have been happy to play one minute as long as I was there with the lads.”Maguire has played 66 times for England since making his debut in 2017 but only four of them have come since the end of 2023.“I don’t think I would retire from England,” he added.

“I still feel I have something to offer. There will be a time and a place where I don’t deserve to get picked but I probably still wouldn’t come out and retire. If I got one more cap it would be worth it.”

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