In a night filled with nostalgia and electric energy, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and star midfielder Jack Grealish joined over 70,000 fans at Oasis’ triumphant homecoming concert at Heaton Park on July 11, 2025. The event, marking the Britpop legends’ first Manchester performance in 16 years, was a celebration of music, community, and the deep ties that bind the city to its football club. Amid the reunion of lifelong City fans Liam and Noel Gallagher, both Guardiola and Grealish showcased their passion for Manchester City in distinct yet heartfelt ways, with the manager singing alongside fans and Grealish pouring his heart out to supporters, even as rumors swirl about his future at the Etihad Stadium.
The Oasis concert, the first of five sold-out shows at Heaton Park, was a cultural milestone for Manchester. The Gallagher brothers, iconic figures in the city’s music and football scene, delivered a setlist packed with classics like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” igniting the crowd with memories of the 1990s Britpop era. Among the sea of fans, Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s six Premier League titles, was spotted in the VIP section with his daughter Maria, belting out the lyrics to “Don’t Look Back in Anger” with unrestrained joy. His retro Manchester City shirt added a touch of club pride to the moment, captured in a video shared by Maria that quickly went viral. The Gallagher brothers, ardent City supporters, amplified the atmosphere by dedicating “D’You Know What I Mean?” to “the greatest manager of all time, the one and only Pep Guardiola.” The shoutout drew cheers from City fans but a smattering of boos from rival Manchester United supporters, a playful nod to the city’s divided football loyalties. “Who you f***ing booing?” Noel Gallagher quipped in response, sparking laughter across the crowd.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, the 29-year-old winger whose £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 made him a record-breaking signing, was in his element among the fans. Spotted near the VIP barrier, Grealish embraced a supporter in a City shirt and delivered an emotional message that resonated deeply. “You know what, bro? I love City more than anything,” he declared, his voice brimming with sincerity. “And do you know what I love more than anything? City fans. They’re the best fans in the world!” The moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, underscored Grealish’s deep connection to the club, even as speculation about a potential exit looms. “We love him. We do. And we know he loves us,” one fan posted on X, reflecting the mutual adoration between Grealish and the City faithful.
Grealish’s heartfelt words come at a pivotal moment. After playing a key role in City’s historic 2022-23 Treble, including their first Champions League title, the England international has struggled for consistent minutes, starting just seven Premier League games last season. His exclusion from City’s 27-man squad for the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, coupled with Guardiola’s comments that Grealish needs to “play every three days” to rediscover his spark, has fueled talk of a move to clubs like Tottenham, Newcastle, or even Serie A champions Napoli. “Of course Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player,” Guardiola said last month, emphasizing that his limited minutes were a tactical choice, not a reflection of off-field issues. “I want the best for Jack, his partner, his kids, his family,” he added, leaving the door open for Grealish to stay but hinting that a fresh start elsewhere could reignite his career.
The Heaton Park gig highlighted the contrasting styles of the two City icons. Guardiola, ever the measured tactician, soaked in the music with a family-focused demeanor, posing for a photo with Liam Gallagher’s sons, Lennon and Gene, and Noel’s children, which Gene captioned, “Pic of the century alright now everyone else f*** off.” Grealish, on the other hand, was the life of the party, singing “four in a row” with fans in reference to City’s historic 2023-24 Premier League title streak. Despite their reported professional tensions and standing at opposite ends of the VIP section without interacting, both men embodied the spirit of Manchester City—a club woven into the fabric of the city’s culture, much like Oasis itself.
As the Oasis tour continues, with support acts like Richard Ashcroft and Cast, the Heaton Park shows have drawn other footballing figures, including players from Manchester United, reflecting the event’s significance. For Grealish, the night was a chance to reaffirm his bond with City fans, even as his £300,000-a-week contract complicates potential transfers. For Guardiola, it was a moment to connect with Manchester’s soul, a city he has transformed through football. As the 2025-26 season approaches, the question remains whether Grealish will fight for his place at the Etihad or seek new horizons, but for one unforgettable night, both he and Guardiola proved that their love for City—and Oasis—runs deep.
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