The inaugural episode of My Best Coach sees Ian Wright sit down with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire for a candid interview on The Overlap, sponsored by Gillette. Maguire reflects on his journey from his early days at Sheffield United, through spells at Hull City and Leicester City, to completing an £80 million switch to Manchester United. The pair also discuss the resilience that has helped Maguire navigate criticism and abuse during his time at club level and on the international stage.
00: 00 – Intro
9:21 – Arsenal
10:51 – Micheal Carrick
14:39 – Best Coach
20:47 – Sheffield United
32:47 – Hull City
39:00 – Leicester City
41:51 – Manchester United
Key Quotes:
Maguire on Arsenal’s performance against United this season…
‘Honestly, I always thought Arsenal were the better team when we played them. They give you nothing. They were so solid. We beat you at the Emirates, but we didn’t create much and we scored two worldies.’
Maguire on his relationship with Michael Carrick…
‘He’s so chilled. He does sometimes raise his voice, he did it when we weren’t great against Newcastle away, however, his biggest attribute is staying so level-headed, so focused. He speaks so well, his man management’s great and tactically, we’re very good. He’s excellent at speaking in front of people, and the players are motivated.’
Maguire on the most influential coach he’s had in his career…
‘The most influential person in my career is my dad. Funnily enough, he was my first coach when I was seven or eight years old. He was the manager of the Sunday League team. I was a midfielder since I was 16 and then got moved to centre back.’
Maguire on his attributes as a player at Sheffield United…
‘I was a confident player. I had good belief, but I probably should say I grew more belief when I was in the first team and started to get around the lads. When you’re 15, 16, you feel it’s quite a big gap away. The senior lads were amazing with me at Sheffield United. At the time, it was six games to go in the season, and we were bottom of the league in the Championship so, I got thrown in with them. I think it’s so important that you get a good group of senior pros who help youngsters along.’
Maguire on his breakthrough at Sheffield United…
‘I started the first game of the season and scored in the opening day which was away at Oldham. I’ll never forget that. It was a header at the back post. From then I just kicked on and played every game that season. I was 17, 18 years old and I was making mistakes, but Danny Wilson was the manager and he just played me. I think it helped me so much. I look at some of the other centre-backs at Man United now like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. They’re both going to be amazing players because they have all the attributes. I think they’re both going to be top-class players but they’re learning on the job. It is tough to do. I was learning in League One and the eyes were off it and, in that moment, it was a big pressure but it’s totally different to all their experiences.’
Maguire on moving to Hull and playing under Steve Bruce…
‘It was a tough to start with because I moved to Hull and they were in the Europa League. Steve built this big squad that had to deal with the Europa League, and we got knocked out in the qualifying stages, so we ended up having a squad of 25 men. The first 6 months I didn’t play, I ended up going on loan to Wigan and I just went there and I just played and enjoyed my football. I knew if I went and played every game then I’d have options the following year.’
Maguire on playing alongside Michael Dawson at Hull City…
‘He gave me so much confidence to feel like I was a top Premier League player because I remember asking him in training once during the back end of that season who do you think is the best centre back in the Premier League at the time and he said I think you’re right up there.’
Maguire on playing at Leicester City…
‘Leicester was a good choice for me. It was an amazing club, a real family club. I really enjoyed my time there. I was only at Leicester for two years. I was close to joining Manchester United after the first year because it was the World Cup in Russia in 2018. After my first year, I can remember Jose Mourinho was the manager at Manchester United and he was desperate to get it done but the owner said to me look I signed you a year ago, if you give me one more year, I promise you can go.’
Maguire on how he handles online abuse…
‘I really don’t worry about anything. I’m not fazed by anything. I was a little bit naive. I think that it helped me that I was so naive because I was the captain of Manchester United, we were having a real bad season, and I just thought it was normal. I was naive to that, you’re the captain it’s going to come down on you, and this is the reason they’re doing it. It was only when I looked back a couple of years later or a year later when I thought it was a bit over the top. It just got to a point where it was all for clicks. It was harder for my family,’
Maguire on Eric Ten Hag taking the captaincy off him…
‘I loved being the captain. I can’t remember the league position we finished when I was captain, but it was progressing. To be honest, it was Eric’s decision and the season before we finished third, won the cup and I was captain. I didn’t feel like his captain. I probably shouldn’t have allowed our relationship to drift apart a little bit, but I just didn’t feel important to him. For Eric it was the right decision because I wasn’t his captain.’
Maguire on Thomas Tuchel…
‘He’s got good energy and he’s trying to build something. It’s a good feeling in the squad and he’s done well up to now, winning every game and qualifying but it’s going to be an exciting World Cup.’
CREDIT – “This week’s My Best Coach podcast is available now on YouTube and all leading podcast platforms”
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