Thomas Tuchel has voiced his disappointment at Harry Maguire's 'unnecessary' public response to being omitted from England's World Cup squad. The Manchester United defender learned of his exclusion on Thursday afternoon and promptly issued a statement expressing he was 'shocked and gutted' by the decision. His mother, Zoe, later took to social media to brand the snub as 'disgraceful'.
Tuchel's Reaction
Speaking at Wembley after naming his 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, Tuchel said: 'I was surprised and I think it (Maguire's reaction) was not necessary. I respected his personality and quality a lot; he had an outstanding season. But still, I was a bit surprised because we had a private conversation where he could express his feelings, and that was fair enough.'
Tuchel acknowledged Maguire's disappointment, adding: 'I felt his disappointment. I felt that he was upset. I can see all the arguments to have him in camp. But it's just a decision, not a personal decision, just a decision for someone else. It (his response) was not necessary, let's put it like this.'
Squad Selection Philosophy
Discussing the squad, which also excludes notable talents like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, Tuchel emphasised that selection is not solely about individual talent. 'It's not necessarily the best and most talented player (who is picked). It's the best team. We chose a very balanced squad. I can guarantee we have 26 players who are committed to team spirit and being unselfish.'
He further explained: 'We have to pick the squad we are convinced by and who we love. It comes down to who do we really trust? Who delivered? Who helped with the culture? Who are the leaders? It's about the energy, the connection, and the trust.'
