Guardiola Suggests Grealish May Need a Fresh Start

PHILADELPHIA: Manchester City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, has indicated that Jack Grealish’s future with the club is uncertain, implying that the midfielder might benefit from beginning anew to reignite his passion for the sport.

Following Grealish’s exclusion from the FIFA Club World Cup roster, reports suggest the club has permitted him to explore opportunities with other teams, potentially leading to a departure from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Guardiola stated on Wednesday that the choice for Grealish to remain behind was a mutual agreement between the player and the organization. He also hinted that a transfer might aid the England international in rediscovering his enthusiasm for the game.

“He had a conversation between him and the club and they decided it was best [to stay behind],” Guardiola commented.

The City manager lauded Grealish’s capabilities but conceded that the midfielder’s restricted playing time during the previous season stemmed from strategic choices.

“Jack is an exceptional player. The sole reason he didn’t feature more last season is, of course, due to my decisions. We believe that he needs to participate more. The club was transparent, and so was he.”

Guardiola emphasized that Grealish still has a place at City if he can recapture the form he displayed during the club’s treble-winning season and his earlier tenure at Aston Villa.

“We believe the optimal course is for him to remain [behind] and find a place where he can feel capable of returning to the player he was during the treble-winning year or throughout his career at Aston Villa.

“The reality is that he hasn’t accumulated substantial playing minutes in the last two seasons. He needs to come back and experience the excitement of playing frequently, demonstrating the quality he possesses.”