Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish: “It’s only my decision”
Loading Textilo
Loading Detail System
Share your thoughts, join the conversation!
Loading Comment
Loading Textilo
Loading Detail System
Share your thoughts, join the conversation!
Loading Comment
The Manchester City manager explained that Jack Grealish’s absence was purely down to tactical choices, not discipline. Grealish’s exclusion from the Club World Cup squad has intensified questions about his role. His future has emerged as one of this summer’s defining narratives in the transfer market.
4 minutes
AI-generated image. Editorial use only.
Emphasising that Jack Grealish’s omission had nothing to do with behavioural or disciplinary issues, Guardiola made it clear that the decision was purely a sporting one.
Grealish started just seven Premier League games in the 2024–25 season, with only one of those coming in the second half of the campaign. A dip in form and the emergence of new talents saw him fall down the pecking order. Grealish’s omission from the 27-man squad selected for the FIFA Club World Cup became a significant talking point.
Speaking on the matter, Guardiola said:
“Jack not getting minutes has been entirely my decision — nothing more.”
He firmly denied any disciplinary issues and reiterated:
“He didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just a football decision. Others are performing well.”
Guardiola also praised players like Jeremy Doku — “Jeremy Doku is doing really well” — and acknowledged the competitive nature of squad selection.
“I have to pick only 11.”
In the 2024/25 season, Grealish made 32 appearances in all competitions, starting just 16 of them. He played 20 times in the Premier League — nearly identical to the previous season. He finished the campaign with 3 goals and 5 assists, mirroring last year’s tally of 3 goals and 3 assists. Signed for £100 million in 2021 — the most expensive transfer in English football history at the time — Grealish’s numbers have fallen well short of expectations.
Since joining the club, Grealish has made 157 appearances and scored 17 goals. Although he has delivered some high-quality moments, his overall impact has not matched the club’s major investment or the expectations on the pitch. A technically gifted and expressive player, Grealish has struggled to fully adapt to Guardiola’s compact system. He found himself caught between Guardiola’s tactical discipline and the creative freedom that once defined his game at Aston Villa.
The England international is under contract with Manchester City until 2027. According to Capology, Grealish earns £300,000 per week, bringing his annual gross salary to £15.6 million. This makes him one of the top earners at both Manchester City and league-wide.
When asked about speculation linking Grealish with a move away from Manchester City, Guardiola stopped short of confirming anything but left the door open:
“I want the best for Jack — for him, his wife, his children, and his family. I don’t know what will happen right now, but I’ve never doubted his quality. Without him, that historic treble-winning season would have been impossible.”
According to TEAMtalk, several Premier League clubs are interested in Grealish. Everton and Newcastle United have made approaches to sign him on loan, according to TEAMtalk. However, the likelihood of such a move depends on City agreeing to cover a portion of his wages. His former club Aston Villa are actively considering a move to bring him back — either permanently or on loan.
Perhaps the most intriguing development comes from Tottenham. According to TEAMtalk’s 17 June 2025 report, the club sees Grealish as an “unbelievable winger” and is preparing a bid worth around £50 million. Yet his £300,000-per-week salary remains a major stumbling block. Since Tottenham are unwilling to take on the full wage burden, either City must contribute or Grealish would need to accept a pay cut.
talkSPORT, meanwhile, reports that Napoli have entered the race. Following Kevin De Bruyne’s transfer to the Italian club, the Belgian midfielder has reportedly recommended his former teammate Grealish. Napoli are actively exploring a move for Grealish, following a recommendation from Kevin De Bruyne. The move hinges on Grealish agreeing to a reduced salary.
According to sources like The Guardian and TEAMtalk, Manchester City have set a clear asking price for Jack Grealish: £50 million. However, few clubs can match that fee, and the player’s high wages remain the biggest obstacle to any deal.
Grealish’s future has become one of the key topics of the summer transfer window. Given his experience, market value and salary level, the decision he makes will have a direct impact on clubs’ squad planning, budgets and tactical setups — and has the potential to influence the wider transfer market as well.
