Harry Maguire: The Name Change That Shaped His Career

omidbasir- In a candid interview on TNT Sports, Harry Maguire shared an intriguing aspect of his identity that has largely gone unnoticed throughout his career: he was not originally named Harry.

“My mother named me Jacob Harry [Maguire] at birth. After three months, people began calling me Jakey, which she disliked, prompting her to change it to Harry Jacob [Maguire]. However, I couldn’t officially alter my name on my passport until I turned 18. Once I reached that age, I made the change, so my name is now officially Harry Jacob,” he explained.

Interestingly, Maguire’s legal name change coincided almost perfectly with the onset of his professional football career. Just over a month after turning 18, the newly renamed Harry Jacob Maguire made his senior debut for Sheffield United in the Championship against Cardiff City in 2011. Since that moment, he has been recognized by the football community simply as “Harry.” Few outside his immediate family were aware that Jacob was once inscribed on his birth certificate.

This revelation has drawn parallels to other footballers who have undergone name changes for personal reasons. England’s No.1 goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, was initially born Pigford, but his father modified the family name to protect him from teasing at school. Likewise, Joe Hart, another England goalkeeper, was born Charles Joseph John Hart but opted for the shorter “Joe” early in his career.

Dele Alli also famously dropped his surname in 2016, expressing his desire for a name on his shirt that represented his identity, stating, “I have no connection to the Alli surname.”

Even Ryan Giggs, one of Manchester United’s legendary players, was born Ryan Wilson but adopted his mother’s maiden name after her separation. Giggs recalled the surprise of his teammates during a youth tournament when his passport was presented for the first time, revealing his original surname.

Despite the positive attention surrounding him, Maguire’s future remains uncertain as he approaches the final months of his contract with Manchester United. The 32-year-old will be eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs starting in January. When questioned about the possibility of extending his contract, manager Amorim responded cautiously.

“We are very pleased with Harry, but it is not the right time to discuss that. We need to focus on the present. He is crucial for us, but our priority is the upcoming matches,” he stated.

Maguire’s transformation under Amorim has been remarkable. After being sidelined under Erik ten Hag and losing the captaincy, he could have chosen to leave. Instead, he has persevered, scoring a critical goal at Anfield against Liverpool, which has endeared him to the fans at Old Trafford. This victory marked United’s first win in the red half of Merseyside since Wayne Rooney’s goal in January 2016, and it was his 17th goal for the club, with five of those coming under the Portuguese manager.

Amorim acknowledged Maguire’s significance to the team, stating, “Harry Maguire is incredibly important for us, as he demonstrated today. His journey serves as a great example for young players.”

While Amorim is satisfied with Maguire’s performance, he believes there is room for improvement.

“Playing with three center-backs has helped him feel more secure. It allows him to operate centrally without frequently moving to the sides. I am pleased with his progress, but I know he can further develop his skills. He possesses quality and must demonstrate that, particularly in the current era where set pieces and crosses are prevalent. He is essential for us, and while that match is behind us, we must now concentrate on the present and future.”

Maguire is set to return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the Premier League, as Manchester United seeks to avenge their recent Europa League final loss.