Harry Maguire: The whirlwind assault case of the Manchester United captain
In the space of seven days since, HMaguire has been arrested, tried, found guilty of assault and bribery and launched an appeal. It's been a whirlwind.
“Last night hurt…” Harry Maguire told the football world on August 17.
Manchester United had been eliminated from the Europa League by Sevilla the previous evening, ending their hopes of lifting any silverware for the 2019/20 season.
“Time to go away, reflect, recover,” Maguire added, promising readers that his team would return stronger than ever.
Less than 96 hours later, the Old Trafford captain was being thrown into cells by Greek police.
On the night of 21 August, Maguire, his brother and a friend became embroiled in a drunken brawl with another group whilst holidaying on the island of Mykonos.
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In the space of seven days, Maguire has since been arrested, tried, found guilty of assault and bribery, and launched an appeal to maintain his innocence.
It’s been a whirlwind week that’s stunned the football world.
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The upshot, so far, has been a 21-month prison sentence for Maguire, suspended for three years, and an ignominious removal from the England squad (which will surely be temporary).
But the case has also tattered the ‘model pro’ reputation Maguire was given by some media outlets.
Footballers misbehaving abroad is nothing new. But for some, the biggest shock of the whole ordeal is the fact that it’s wholesome character Maguire at the centre of it all.
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There are two very different sides to the story of what happened that night – and the United star maintains he and his family are “victims”.
On Thursday 21 August, plain clothes officers rushed in to halt a brawl which had broken out between two groups at a bar in Mykonos.
The confrontation was taking place between Maguire, his brother and their friend and some “Albanian” men.
Maguire’s group said they had approached two males after spotting them “inject” Maguire’s sister, Daisy, with a “rape drug”.
Daisy’s eyes were said to be “rolling back”, and Maguire bundled her into a minivan so she could return to the villa or a local hospital.
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An argument then ensued, but with no CCTV footage of the incident, it’s quickly become a classic case of ‘he-said, she-said’.
According to Greek police, Maguire started “pushing and hitting three police officers” when they arrived on the scene.
Maguire was arrested and accused of pushing one officer to the ground as he tried to resist (according to police).
After arriving at the station, a group of men nearby allegedly told Maguire “Your career is over”, before kicking his legs.
Police have offered a different version of events, even stating that Maguire attempted to bribe them by saying: “Please, let me go, I am very rich, I can pay, I am the leader of Manchester United.”
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In court, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult.
Still, the £80m defender maintains the accusations are wrong, and his legal team have since launched an appeal.
A Manchester United statement said: “Harry has no criminal record and is once again presumed innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly, he is not subject to any international travel restrictions.”
Maguire himself has so far refused to speak to the press about the incident, and has still not posted on Twitter since expressing his pain at United’s European exit.
Little did he know that this period of reflection would go so horribly wrong.
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Manchester United considering approach for Wolves boss Gary O’Neil over mystery coaching role
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly considering an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil over a potential new coaching role.
Although it is thought the Wolves boss is about to be handed a brand-new contract following his impressive efforts at the West Midlands club, a new report from ESPN‘s Mark Ogden is now suggesting that O’Neil is set to be tapped up by Man United as they look to rebuild their backroom.
According to the article published this week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Sports team are interested in offering the 40-year-old as yet unconfirmed role on the Red Devils’ coaching staff and while it’s still unclear whether Erik ten Hag has the new co-owner’s full confidence, it’s clear they’re making plans.
Echoed by The Athletic‘s ever-reliable David Ornstein, who reiterated that Ogden is “really well connected” with the club, it looks like there might be some real legs in this.
What job is Gary O’Neil being considered for at United?
As for what O’Neil’s role around Old Trafford and Carrington, more specifically, would be were he to say yes or even consider an offer (it is thought no formal talks have been held at this stage), that remains a bit of a mystery.
That being said, with the likes of Steve McClaren serving a second spell as assistant manager at ten Hag‘s side – having been hand-picked by the Dutchman for his experience – along with Mitchell van der Gaag who arrived with him from Ajax, it seems unlikely either of the two would make way for O’Neill.
However, with both Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna departing the club in recent years, leaving few other notable outfield names other than ex-striker Benni McCarthy who has been looking after United forwards since 2022, he could be appointed as a strategic figure amongst the first-team coaching staff.
Either way, O’Neil signed a three-year deal with Wolves when he was appointed in August 2023 and has already seen some pretty impressive results, leading them to an admirable 10th place in the Premier League at present, so any proposal from United would have to be a handsome one.
While it still feels unlikely that Gary O’Neil would give up the top job at a top-flight club for an as-yet ‘unknown’ position at United, who remain in flux and still plenty of uncertainty as they start this next chapter, there is an undoubted appeal to being at one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
Sources are said to have confirmed the United’s interest and O’Neil himself is now aware of the prospective approach but neither club is yet to address the situation.
Ogden’s report also goes on to cite recent rumblings surrounding potential figures to succeed ten Hag if he were to be sacked, with names like Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank being floated around.
In fact, even England manager Gareth Southgate has been linked, though the suggestion has already been shrugged off by the bulk of the fan base and the Three Lions boss himself has also been quick to dismiss the rumours:
Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below: