“I’ll be honest with you… I didn’t agree with it” – Jack Grealish on being axed by Gareth Southgate

“I’ll be honest with you… I didn’t agree with it” – Jack Grealish on being axed from Euro 2024 by then manager Gareth Southgate.

Jack Grealish openly disagreed with Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit him from England’s squad for Euro 2024, which was indeed a high-profile and controversial call to make.

Southgate cited reasons like Grealish’s form not being at its peak during the 2023/24 season, but Grealish, while acknowledging his form, argued for his inclusion based on his all-round game, not just scoring goals, pointing out that balance in the team’s attacking options was crucial. He felt he should have been part of the squad due to his experience and unique playing style.

He admits he was devastated, yet he respected Southgate’s final call. Now Southgate’s gone, more and more players, including Anthony Gordon, are coming out with how they really felt.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t really agree with it.” 🗣️

Jack Grealish opens up on his omission from England’s EURO 2024 squad.#BBCFootball | #ThreeLions | @Iandennisbbc pic.twitter.com/7ITGBaXWVj

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 8, 2024

After Southgate’s departure, interim coach Lee Carsley came in and brought Grealish back into the fold. Grealish has since praised Carsley’s approach, feeling more integrated and valued, describing Carsley as a “father figure.”

This change in management has seemingly revitalised Grealish’s enthusiasm for the national team, with him starting games and contributing positively.

Asked about his Euros axe, Grealish said: “I will be honest with you – I didn’t really agree with it.

“You can imagine how I was absolutely devastated. It was one of the most difficult periods of life in terms of football.

“It was difficult to just watch the games, especially for someone like me who watches so much football.

“I have won a lot of stuff now so, you asked me should I have gone, yes, I still think I should have, but obviously it wasn’t meant to be.

“I felt like I didn’t have the best season. If you look at some players in my position, for example Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, they scored a lot of goals.

“But I know that my game is not just about goals. I give so much more to the team than goals.

“You need a bit of a balance in every position on the pitch and I class myself as quite an experienced player now.

“I’ve played in a lot of big games — Champions League finals and FA Cup finals.”

Grealish, 29, scored in the 2-0 victory over Ireland in Dublin in the last international break and hopes to feature against Greece in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday, with Finland the opponents after, on the Sunday.

He says he’s been feeling “a lot of love” playing for Carsley, and believes Lee has all the qualities to land his new job on a permanent basis.

He said to BBC Radio 5 Live: “He played me in both games and hopefully I repaid him by scoring in Dublin. It was nice to play in the No10 role.

“I wanted to come here and train well and play well. I thank the manager, Lee Carsley, for giving me that chance and having that trust in me. It’s really meant a lot.

“Throughout my career, when I’ve played under managers that have shown a trust in me and communicated with me the way he has in the past two camps, it has really helped me.

“I’ve felt a lot of love from the manager.

“It makes me feel that the manager really does rate me and I can’t speak highly enough of him since I’ve been here.

“He gets across to us how he wants us to play and how he wants me to play personally. The younger lads with him at the Under-21s said he is like a proper father figure.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Jack Grealish speaks on being axed by Gareth Southgate…

@Pimleyyyyy: Fuck me lad that must mean Scott Carson should be the England number 1. Tosser

@BlueLunnDay: Southgate on record as saying he picked players on how they performed in an England shirt and not necessarily on club form (eg Maguire perhaps?) – Grealish never let him down playing for his country – but then dropped him. Made no sense.

@JmzBristow: Problem for Jack is he thought just because he stuck a City shirt on and cost 100mill he we would into the England camp. Pep unfortunately has ruined Jack’s uniqueness on the ball.

@smokie001: What a clown! One of the few decisions Gareth got right 100%.

@Gazby77: It’s a wonder he can get his massive swollen over rate ego through open doors.. 😂

@TrueBlueWhoDat: The dude has been riding the bench for city since he got there, has been carried to all of his career achievements and scores about once every 20 games if he gets on the pitch at all. Sit down mate you’re good at that.

@jamminlambert: Month long benders will do that to you

@JerseyCityzen: A team winning trophies does not mean you should be picked for the England squad. You also play next to the best #9 in the world and can’t find an assist.

@ZakHowells: Winning things as part of the best team in England doesn’t mean you deserve an England spot. You need to actually be good.

@Stumando28: Seems like a decent fella but he’s never really done it for England. You’d have to say one of Gareth’s better decisions.