The air around the Etihad Stadium is thick with speculation regarding the future of Jack Grealish, the £100 million man whose once-pivotal role at Manchester City has seemingly diminished. As the 2024-2025 season draws to a close, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that a definitive decision on the England international’s fate will be made, sparking widespread discussion among fans and pundits alike.
Grealish, now 29, arrived at City four years ago with immense fanfare and a hefty price tag, quickly becoming a fan favorite and playing a starring role in the club’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2023. However, this season has seen a noticeable shift in his prominence. He has managed just seven Premier League starts and, perhaps most tellingly, remained an unused substitute during City’s recent FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace. This reduced playing time has fueled intense speculation about a potential summer move away from Manchester.
Guardiola, addressing the swirling rumors, maintained a measured tone, insisting that no final decision has been reached. He indicated that discussions would soon commence between the club’s hierarchy – specifically outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, his successor Hugo Viana, and Grealish’s representatives. “We didn’t talk, I didn’t talk with him,” Guardiola stated, acknowledging that such matters are typically handled by the club’s administrative and player management teams. “People don’t believe me, but these things belong to the agents and the club and Txiki, and in this case Hugo as well. Both will decide.”
The manager also acknowledged the natural dissatisfaction that comes with reduced playing time for any professional footballer. “What is going to happen will happen, but he has to come back to start to play minutes again,” Guardiola emphasized. He further elaborated on the universal sentiment among players who find themselves on the periphery: “It’s not (only) Jack. There is not one player in my locker room, and I think all the locker rooms around the world, that is happy (when they) do not play. When the team is winning and winning they have to figure out how everything happens – but they are not happy. They are here to play and, when they don’t play, they are not satisfied. That is the normal position in all the clubs.”
This season’s statistics paint a clear picture of Grealish’s reduced involvement. Having made only one Premier League start in 2025, his output has understandably dwindled. While his commitment during the treble-winning season was never in doubt, contributing a respectable 16 goal involvements across all competitions, his role then was more of a facilitator than a primary goalscorer. Now, with a more limited presence on the pitch, questions naturally arise about his long-term fit within Guardiola’s evolving tactical framework.
The situation is further complicated by the impending departure of another City stalwart, Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to make his final home appearance for the club. While De Bruyne’s exit creates a void in the midfield, it also highlights the dynamic nature of a top club’s squad and the constant need for evolution. Guardiola admitted that replacing players of De Bruyne’s caliber is “really, really difficult for many reasons,” but stressed the necessity to “move forward.”
For Grealish, who still has two years remaining on his lucrative contract, the coming weeks will be pivotal. Pundits and former players have weighed in on his predicament, with some, like Alan Shearer, suggesting that a move away from the Etihad might be necessary to reignite his career. Shearer notably remarked, “His time is up at Man City. He has to leave. For him [Guardiola] to bring on a debutant, a young boy [Claudio Echeverri], and [Ilkay] Gundogan rather than Jack Grealish when they’re desperate for a goal…his time is up.” This sentiment, echoed by others, underscores the perception that Grealish may no longer be a central figure in Guardiola’s plans.
The decision facing Manchester City and Jack Grealish is multi-faceted. It involves not only the player’s desire for more consistent playing time but also the club’s strategic vision for the future. Whether Grealish seeks a fresh start to reclaim his form and secure his place in the England squad, or if a renewed focus and a strong pre-season can see him re-establish himself at City, remains to be seen. The coming weeks will undoubtedly provide clarity on the path forward for the talented winger.
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