Gary Smith hasn't spoken publicly since leaving Nashville SC. Until now.
I sat down with Nashville's first coach for an exclusive, wide-ranging conversation — his time in Nashville, Aké Loba, the Leagues Cup final, Hany Mukhtar, and what's next for him.
https://t.co/Yg4ylibgQZ
Thomas Tuchel on Harry Maguire's statement after being left out of England's World Cup squad:
"I was a bit surprised, but I respect his personality a lot, I respect his quality a lot.
"He had a quality season. I can understand the disappointment. I can see the reason behind the disappointment.
"Still, I was a bit surprised as we had a private conversation. He had the chance to express his feelings, which he did.
"This is fair enough because I can see all the reasons why he could be in the squad. But the decision is that we stood firmly with out central defenders that carried us through September, October, November...
"Some of them are part of a leadership group that took ownership and set the standards high and it was a decision for these 26 players, even if it feels as it's against these players."