Guardiola to Decide Grealish’s Future After Season Amid De Bruyne Farewell

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jack Grealish’s future at the club will be resolved at the end of the season, with discussions set to take place between club officials and the player’s representatives. 

The England international, once pivotal to City’s treble-winning triumph in 2023, has seen his role diminished significantly this season, sparking speculation of a potential summer exit.

Grealish, 29, has made only seven Premier League starts in the current campaign and was notably left on the bench during City’s shock 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace last Saturday. That omission further intensified doubts over his standing in Guardiola’s plans moving forward.

Addressing the media on Monday, Guardiola stated that decisions regarding Grealish would be made in collaboration with outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain and his successor Hugo Viana.

“We didn’t talk, I didn’t talk with him,” Guardiola revealed. “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. What is going to happen will happen, but he has to come back to start playing minutes again.”

Guardiola acknowledged Grealish’s frustration over his limited involvement this season, insisting it’s a natural reaction for any professional.

“It’s not only Jack. There is not one player in my locker room, and I think all the locker rooms around the world, who is happy when they do not play,” he said. “They are here to play and, when they don’t play, they are not satisfied. That is the normal position in all the clubs.”

While Grealish’s future remains uncertain, City will bid farewell to a club legend as Kevin De Bruyne prepares for his final home appearance against Bournemouth on Tuesday. The 33-year-old midfielder, whose contract expires in June, will leave after a decade at the Etihad during which he collected 16 major trophies.

Though De Bruyne has expressed belief in his ability to continue playing at the highest level, Guardiola suggested that now is the right moment to part ways, citing the Belgian’s injury struggles and declining impact in recent seasons.

“There are players who are really difficult to replace, really, really difficult for many reasons,” Guardiola said. “We know that, but the season we have done is the season we have done, and we cannot deny it. Of course, we have to move forward.”

As City approaches a transitional summer, the futures of key players like Grealish and the departure of stalwarts such as De Bruyne highlight a period of significant change at the Etihad.