Sam Allardyce: Harry Maguire has to start for England in Qatar and for Man United

Former England, Bolton, West Ham and Everton manager Sam Allardyce has told William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ new podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, that Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate must stay loyal to Harry Maguire and pick him in his side for the World Cup.

Speaking to William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football, a new series in which Allardyce and host Natalie Pike are joined by a special guest each week to discuss the big stories surrounding the 2022 World Cup, the former England manager believes it is crucial that the Manchester United captain is in Southgate’s plans for Qatar.

He said: “It’s scandalous, what’s happening. This is out and out trying to destroy somebody. Everybody’s on his back, and if you’re going to have such a great player, for his country and for Manchester United… to put out what’s been put out, no-one can withstand that pressure. That sort of criticism in every way, shape or form – it’s bound to affect Harry.

“Playing for Manchester United, I find it strange that he’s not in the team. Why is he not in the team? Why is the new manager playing new players that he has bought over Harry? Because he bought them? That’s the way it looks to me because they’re certainly no better than Harry Maguire.

“I want to see him play for Manchester United again. Seeing them the other week play Manchester City – they need him!

Southgate must stay loyal to Maguire

Many want Southgate to go with different options at the heart of England’s defence, but Allardyce hopes that the Three Lions manager stands by Maguire so that the Manchester United defender can prove his doubters wrong.

“It has been outrageous from the people who are trying to undermine what a talent he [Maguire] is, and what a nice guy,” he said. “That’s particularly worrying for Gareth [Southgate] in terms of subsiding to the pressure.

“I’ve got to know him over the last few years, and with what he’s done for England, I hope Gareth stays strong and sticks with him, because he deserves it. I hope he stays loyal to Harry, and I hope Harry repays him for that loyalty.

And when asked if not playing regularly for the Red Devils was a big issue, Allardyce was quick to point out that it might actually be of benefit to Maguire.

He said: “It’ll affect him in that he’ll be a little rusty, but if you come together as a squad and you are lifted by what’s happening, and you get a friendly game or two in, it’ll be the opposite of all the others.

“I know Harry’s not playing, but he’s fresh! He’s looking forward to playing for England to shut everybody up, but by the other token the others are on the wrong side of a downward spiral due to mental and physical fatigue from playing so many games. These lads have had a really hard schedule and may feel the pace of that schedule when they come together to play for England.”

Getting back into management?

Allardyce and Pike’s first guest on the new podcast was ‘Big Sam’s’ former assistant Sammy Lee and while the duo have enjoyed plenty of success together, much of which has come as a result of helping clubs avoid relegation, Allardyce was keen to stress that they don’t want to be solely known for that.

He said: “Through our success, you put yourself in a position of saving football clubs now, rather than building them. We have a lot of experience in that area, but we’re much better at building a football club than saving one. That’s for sure.”

And Lee echoed his former boss’ comments, saying: “I think Sam’s a bit of a victim of his own success, to be honest, because it keeps coming around every October/November – even the government were struggling! But he’s better than that. However, that’s the scenario we’ve found ourselves in.”

Allardyce was also asked if was keen for a return to management and he certainly didn’t play down the idea, saying: “Maybe, yeah. I think that it’s not withstanding if Sammy gets a job he likes before I do – he should obviously take up the opportunity, because you never know when somebody’s going to ring up and say ‘do you fancy doing this job?’, and more importantly, does the job suit you?”

Trent has to be on the plane

While many of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar virtually pick themselves, one player there is plenty of conjecture over is Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Liverpool right-back not always favoured under the England manger. However, both Sam Allardyce and Sammy Lee expect him to be part of the Three Lions squad.

Lee said: “He is one of Liverpool’s most influential players. He’s not at his best at the moment, but there’s a number of players at Liverpool not having their best moment at this time. I think he will improve, though, and his creativity and his delivery at set pieces is such a big thing.

“I know there’s a question mark against him for his defending, but we’ll have him in the squad and we have him to change games. I understand the reservations about him, but I watch him week in, week out. He’s not having a good moment, but there’s a few of them at Liverpool not having a good moment.

“I think he’ll get to the tournament and will be looking to prove to people that he is worthy of his place there.

And when asked if Alexander-Arnold should on the plane to Qatar, Allardyce simply said: “Yes, definitely.”