“I try to be honest” – Pep Guardiola issues new verdict on Jack Grealish’s Manchester City behaviour
Pep Guardiola continues to hold firm belief in the performances and standards held by Jack Grealish in training and on the pitch when handed Manchester City opportunities.
Grealish has played only 605 minutes in 16 Premier League appearances this season owing to recurring injuries and his inability to replicate his heroics from the 2022-23 treble season, which have seen the £100 million signing from 2021 play a fringe role again this term.
Guardiola has often stated he wants to see the best of Grealish but despite admitting the forward’s training performances have been satisfactory, the Manchester City manager did not call upon his most expensive signing in his side’s last two outings against Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion.
There has been speculation surrounding Grealish and whether the ex Aston Villa captain will have a place in Guardiola’s new-look Manchester City from the onset of the 2025-26 season – ahead of Hugo Viana’s arrival as club sporting director this summer.
A series of reliable reports in England have intimated that as things stand, Grealish is likely to be leave the four-in-a-row Premier League champions as fifth-placed City seek a top-four Premier League finish to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Last week, Grealish – who was left out of the 2024 European Championship squad by Gareth Southgate last summer – was excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as England manager.
The 29-year-old will be keen to put a halt to his National Team woes by fighting his way into the Three Lions’ 2026 FIFA World Cup squad – be it at Manchester City or not.
Speaking in a press conference last week, Guardiola gave further encouragement on some minutes coming for Grealish in Manchester City’s Premier League and FA Cup run-in.
“Against Plymouth (Argyle), he (Grealish) played really good. But at the same time, you have Jeremy (Doku) – Jeremy has played really good in games against (Tottenham) Spurs, for example, or before Spurs here, he played, oh god, really good. And Savio is so active. This is what he’s realised,” Guardiola said.
“It’s not personal. People believe in players sometimes. Still now, after many years, they judge, ‘If I play fine, I don’t play as well’. It happens to all the managers of the teams. But it’s not about any other person. I want the best from Jack.
“I don’t know how many games he’s played with his National Team. Of course, I want it. I’m happy for them. I want the best of them. But they compete with players. Sometimes the players are good, I try to be honest.”
A FA Cup quarter-final tie against Bournemouth next awaits Manchester City after the international break, which could give the Blues time and space to rest and recover for what is their sole remaining shot at silverware this season.
-
Manchester City see host of clubs line up for out-of-favour forward amid Pep Guardiola frustrations
Jack Grealish is set to attract widespread interest at the end of the season and is looking to leave Manchester City after four years at the Etihad Stadium, as per reports.The 29-year-old is ...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
“I’ll tell you” – Pep Guardiola reveals what Manchester City would make of Europa League football for 2025/26 term
Manchester City would hold a feeling of ‘disappointment’ if they only managed to secure UEFA Europa League football next season, Pep Guardiola has admitted.The reigning English champions are facin...Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola handed major Oscar Bobb boost ahead Premier League and FA Cup run-in
Oscar Bobb featured in an EDS fixture earlier this week in a major availability boost to the Manchester City first-team, Pep Guardiola has said.Bobb suffered a leg bone fracture in the days that ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
City's new goal: Pep says top four a 'success'
Pep Guardiola has said that qualifying for the Champions League would make Manchester City's season "a big success."ESPN - 6d -
Manchester City need reliable players and not ‘more’ players insists Pep Guardiola in transfer message
Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message of intent to Manchester City’s chief decision makers over the club’s strategy moving forward into the next campaign.City are set to undergo a major squad ove...Yahoo Sports - 2h -
“It’s not ideal he’s in newspapers” – Thomas Tuchel explains Jack Grealish absence from England World Cup Qualifiers Squad
Thomas Tuchel has pointed to the noise around Jack Grealish off the pitch to explain the Manchester City forward’s exclusion from England’s World Cup qualifiers squad.Grealish was snubbed by Garet...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Pep Guardiola is relishing the fight to secure Champions League football now his players must lift
Although the 24/25 season has been a disappointment for Manchester City there is still plenty for Pep Guardiola’s side to play for. City have made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and a testing tie ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Pep Guardiola reaction — What did Manchester City boss say after draw vs Brighton?
Man City manager Pep Guardiola saw his side struggle against Brighton on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Grealish must show 'responsibility' off the pitch: Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel admits Jack Grealish must show "responsibility" off the pitch despite insisting he did not leave the Manchester City star out of his first England squad because of his behaviour.But ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Fantasy Plus identifies 3 of 2025's safest starting pitchers — should you draft them at ADP?
The Fantasy Plus Experts Consensus model has identified three of the safest starting pitchers to project. Scott Pianowski reveals if he’s in or out on each player at ADP.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Players Championship three-hole playoff: How Rory McIlroy beat J.J. Spaun, shot-by-shot
The three-hole playoff in The Players Championship, shot-by-shot, won by Rory McIlroy.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Argentina Superstar ‘Carries’ Inter Milan On His Shoulders In Precious Atalanta Win
Lautaro Martinez led by example in Inter Milan’s dominant 2-0 away Serie A win against fellow title rivals Atalanta.According to Tuttosport via TWM, the goal in the dying moments put the icing on ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
3 Patriots free agents still remain unsigned
The New England Patriots have three in-house free agents that have yet to be signed by another team.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Did Xavier make March Madness? Musketeers in First Four games of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Did Xavier basketball get into March Madness on Sunday during the NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday bracket reveal show? Here's what to know:Yahoo Sports - 10m
More in Sports
-
2025 NFL free agency: Giants, Jameis Winston to meet Tuesday as team awaits Aaron Rodgers decision, per report
The Giants are visiting with multiple signal-callers as the Rodgers wait continuesCBS Sports - 2m -
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking every position group with defensive tackles at the top
What position is the deepest in the 2025 draft?CBS Sports - 4m -
Colleges with best football, men's basketball coach tandems: Kansas, Alabama in tight race for No. 1 spot
Kalen DeBoer, Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide are rising fast as the Jayhawks aim to secure their top billingCBS Sports - 5m -
Boston NWSL expansion team to change name, months after revealing Bos Nation FC branding
The Boston NWSL team is expected to begin play in 2026CBS Sports - 5m -
Yahoo Fantasy Plus identifies 3 of 2025's safest starting pitchers — should you draft them at ADP?
The Fantasy Plus Experts Consensus model has identified three of the safest starting pitchers to project. Scott Pianowski reveals if he’s in or out on each player at ADP.Yahoo Sports - 8m