Danny Mills Kritik Keputusan Thomas Tuchel Coret Harry Maguire

Mantan bek Inggris Danny Mills mengkritik keputusan manajer Thomas Tuchel yang mencoret bek Manchester United Harry Maguire dari skuad final berisi 26 pemain untuk Piala Dunia 2026 pada Juni 2026.

Keputusan tersebut memicu perdebatan mengenai stabilitas lini belakang Inggris menjelang turnamen di Amerika Utara, meskipun Maguire sempat tampil impresif di akhir musim Premier League 2025-2026 bersama klubnya.

Mills menilai situasi pertahanan Inggris akan selalu menjadi kekhawatiran besar saat tim melaju menghadapi lawan yang lebih tangguh di fase gugur.

"I think going into the tournament, the defensive situation was always going to be the worry – especially as you go deep into the tournament and you come up against better teams, some very, very good teams, in the latter stages. Trying to find that balance is never going to be easy, I think, with the squad that was picked. “I was a little bit surprised by Stones and Konsa, that selection. I've said from day one, if Stones is fit, he plays, because I think he's exceptional.

But I would have played him alongside Marc Guehi. They've not just played together at Manchester City, they know each other from Manchester City as well. They've trained together every day, they have an understanding, they've built that up. “Reece James, I think he's a fantastic full-back and a great footballer.

Left-back, Nico O'Reilly has done great for Manchester City, but my concern is he's better attacking than he is defensively at times, and he goes wandering into those areas. So, yes, I was surprised by the omission of Harry Maguire. “When I look at the squad in general, defensively, at what stage do some of those players start for England? I'm not sure some of them do, unless there's six or seven injuries.

Whereas Harry Maguire, you can bring on, you can play him in a back three if you need to. You can use him as a weapon up front. “So, yes, one or two defensive concerns still. Fantastic second half, great performance in the second half, but I think there will be much stiffer challenges to come." ujar Danny Mills, Mantan Bek Inggris.

Mills juga menganalisis bahwa Tuchel kemungkinan besar meminta sejumlah pemain bersiap di daftar tunggu untuk mengantisipasi adanya cedera seperti yang dialami Tino Livramento.

"I have to assume that when the squad was announced – three weeks ago, three-and-a-half, four weeks ago – Thomas Tuchel would have had to say to four or five players, ‘keep yourself fit and keep yourself ready, because you're on the standby list and if something happens, you may get a phone call’. “That is hard because you're not involved in it and most of your other players and colleagues are either at a World Cup or they're off on holiday, enjoying themselves and doing what they need to do. But you've got to train alone, keep training – very, very hard to get to get to that stage and be ready just in case. “So I would assume that's the reason why there would be a list of maybe four or five that were told you have an opportunity if somebody gets injured and that's maybe why that call-up has come." kata Danny Mills, Mantan Bek Inggris.

Di sisi lain, Maguire mengungkapkan kekecewaannya mengenai cara komunikasi Tuchel yang mengonfirmasi pencoretan tersebut melalui panggilan video FaceTime yang dinilai canggung.

"He FaceTimes everyone. It’s quite an awkward call." ujar Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Maguire menyatakan rasa frustrasinya bertambah lantaran kabar mengenai posisinya yang terancam sudah bocor di media massa sekitar setengah jam sebelum ia dihubungi oleh pelatih.

"Something got released in the media about half an hour before I got told that my place was in doubt. That was the most frustrating thing." kata Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Meski sempat melakukan pembicaraan jujur dengan sang manajer, pemain berusia 33 tahun itu terkejut dan sangat kecewa karena merasa penampilannya sepanjang musim sudah cukup baik.

"It was a surprise at the time. I said straight away that it was a surprise. I was really disappointed." tutur Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Menurutnya, Tuchel tidak memberikan alasan spesifik selain keputusan untuk memprioritaskan empat bek yang tampil impresif pada laga kualifikasi musim gugur lalu.

"We had a few words. Look, I’m quite a big personality. I’m experienced. It was an honest conversation between us both." ucap Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Ia menegaskan tidak menuntut untuk bermain sebagai starter, melainkan hanya ingin berada di tim untuk membantu rekan-rekannya di lapangan maupun di luar lapangan.

"He really said that he can’t really give me an excuse." ujar Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Mengingat faktor usianya yang kini menginjak 33 tahun, ia menyadari akan sulit untuk menargetkan partisipasi pada ajang Piala Dunia berikutnya.

"I thought I did enough to be in the squad. And I thought I could have helped the lads out there. I thought I would still have had a part to play on the pitch, and off the pitch as well." kata Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Meski keputusan ini terasa berat, mantan kapten Manchester United tersebut mencoba menerimanya sebagai bagian dari dinamika sepak bola profesional.

"I’m 33 now, so 37 at the next World Cup. I wanted to go, not just play – 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." tutur Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Maguire tetap berupaya menjaga sikap positif saat menghibur kekecewaannya dengan mengunjungi kota New York untuk menyapa para pendukung setianya.

"He really said that he can’t really give me an excuse, but I think he said that he’s gone with the four lads that he got through the qualifying in the autumn, in the autumn camps where he felt like they did well during them six games. But he did say that he can’t really give me an excuse. But listen, that’s football. It was tough to take." ucap Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Ia tetap memilih pergi ke Amerika Serikat dan membagikan stiker koleksi Piala Dunia produksi Panini kepada anak-anak di Rockefeller Center serta mendatangi bar suporter Long Acre di dekat Times Square.

"Even if we miss the World Cup, I'll go to the U.S.!" kata Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Maguire juga menambahkan bahwa sorak-sorai dari para penggemar setempat menjadi penghibur tersendiri bagi dirinya setelah dicoret dari tim nasional.

"I may have been dropped by Tuchel, but the fans' cheers remain" ujar Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Media Inggris The Sun melaporkan bahwa kehadiran bintang sepak bola tersebut di tempat umum sukses mengejutkan banyak anak-anak dan pengunjung.

"after being left out of England's 26-man final roster for the North America World Cup, Maguire visited New York, spent time communicating with Manchester United fans, and distributed Panini stickers to children." tulis "The Sun".

Candaan mengenai aktivitas Maguire di jalanan New York tersebut juga sempat diangkat oleh media internasional seperti Marca dan dailysports.net.

"children and fans were unable to hide their surprise at the unexpected appearance of a star player." tambah "The Sun".

Kunjungan Maguire ke New York juga bertujuan untuk menjadi bintang tamu dalam program siniar Netflix milik Gary Lineker berjudul "The Rest Is Football" yang disiarkan pada Selasa (16/6/2026).

"Found a new job! Snubbed for World Cup 2026, Maguire sells Panini stickers on the streets of New York" tulis dailysports.net.

Saat memandu acara, Gary Lineker sempat salah ucap ketika menganalisis pertandingan Inggris melawan Kroasia dengan menyebut absennya pemain yang dicoret tidak terlalu terasa.

"Watching England's game today, you don't feel the absence of players left out of the squad," kata Gary Lineker, Presenter.

Lineker langsung meralat pernyataannya setelah menyadari keberadaan Maguire yang ikut hadir secara langsung di dalam studio bersamanya.

"Of course, one (Maguire) is an exception." ujar Gary Lineker, Presenter.

Sebelumnya, melalui akun media sosial pribadinya, Maguire telah meluapkan rasa terkejut dan kesedihannya yang mendalam menjelang pengumuman resmi skuad.

"I was certain I could play an important role for the national team, so this decision was very shocking and heartbreaking. There was no greater honor than wearing the national team jersey and Jo Guk-eul (CEO). Although I cannot be with you, I sincerely wish luck to our players participating in this tournament." tulis Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Ia menegaskan rasa bangganya setiap kali mendapat kesempatan untuk mengenakan seragam tim nasional Inggris selama bertahun-tahun.

"I was confident I could of [sic] played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had." tulis Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Unggahan tersebut mencerminkan kekecewaan mendalam yang dirasakan sang pemain akibat keputusan sepihak dari tim kepelatihan.

"I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision." tulis Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Ia mengakhiri pesannya dengan memberikan ucapan selamat berjuang bagi seluruh rekan setimnya yang berlaga di turnamen musim panas ini.

"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." tulis Harry Maguire, bek Manchester United.

Keputusan kontroversial Thomas Tuchel ini memicu reaksi keras dari pihak keluarga Maguire yang menganggap situasi tersebut sangat tidak adil.

"absolutely disgusted" kata Zoe, Ibu Harry Maguire.

Istri Maguire, Fern, juga memberikan dukungan moral dan menyebut suaminya telah melakukan segala hal demi membuktikan kelayakan dirinya.

"Beyond devastated for you. There was nothing else you could have possibly done to prove your worth. I don’t need to tell you how admired you are, just a shame you were up against a single opinion." ujar Fern, Istri Harry Maguire.

Kritik senada turut dilayangkan oleh saudara laki-laki Maguire, Laurence, yang menyebut keputusan pencoretan tersebut berantakan.

"shambles" kata Laurence, Kakak Harry Maguire.

Adik perempuan Maguire, Daisy, juga menambahkan komentar singkat yang menggambarkan keheranannya atas situasi yang menimpa sang kakak.

"crazy" tutur Daisy, Adik Perempuan Harry Maguire.