Jack Grealish opens up on toughest year of his life as Pep Guardiola gives his support

Jack Grealish opens up on what he says has been the toughest year of his life as Man City boss Pep Guardiola gives his support.

Jack Grealish has openly discussed facing the toughest year of his life, marked by professional struggles at Manchester City, including injuries and a lack of goals, alongside personal challenges on and off the pitch.

Pep Guardiola has supported him through this period, both by challenging him to regain his treble-winning form and by providing personal encouragement off the pitch.

Are we going to speak about that @JackGrealish assist then? 🥶pic.twitter.com/n1fVn8Ohzl

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 9, 2025

Grealish said in the aftermath of the match, per Mirror Football: “This has been the most difficult year of my life.”

He then explored how he hopes to turnaround his form and reignite his career at City in the hopes of finding a bit more rhythm on the pitch.

“Last year, the whole year itself, it was weird because my little daughter was born, but apart from that it was one of the most difficult years – probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch.

“I found it really difficult. But it’s a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here. I feel like in my last few games that I have played, against Palace, Salford and Orient, I am trying to be involved more in the goals and assists.

“Listen, I want to start playing more often and have that rhythm – the way I was a couple of years ago when I was playing a lot of games in a row. I do find it difficult at times to come in and out of games, not really playing. Hopefully I can keep training well and playing a few more games.”

Grealish on being grateful to make his mark on the changing landscape of English football: “That’s the beauty of this world that we live in – we are going from Leyton Orient on Saturday to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

“A lot of credit has to go to Orient – they were outstanding. The fans were brilliant, their keeper was brilliant and I love playing at grounds like this. I have come up through the ranks and it does bring me back to my childhood.”

Pep Guardiola insists he has NO personal issue with Jack Grealish and apologises for not giving him more game time this season 😬👀

🔗 https://t.co/U3QP8hvgK9 pic.twitter.com/Fi3ECCGfNd

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) February 7, 2025

Jack Grealish received apology from Pep Guardiola prior to the game, over lack of Man City playing time.

Grealish has played a total of 1108 minutes of football this season for City with an average of just over 50 minutes per game despite having made 22 appearances in all competitions.

When questioned about Grealish, Guardiola told the media: “I’m so sorry he doesn’t get the minutes that maybe he deserves. But [in] the end, the contributions from Jeremy or Savinho have been massive this season, this is the only reason why. It’s not personal, or [that] I don’t like Jack, or I don’t have confidence in him.

“Of course when you play one player more minutes than another, you have more confidence [than him] right now. But I know his attributes, it’s just for the fact that for the impact of Savinho. It’s [Savinho’s] first season; his impact in goals, and assists, the last game at Arsenal made an incredible step-up defensively and challenging duels. And this is the reason why.”

Guardiola on his selection headache: “The manager has to sometimes select one player in front of another, not just because you don’t like the other one, but because a player can give you in a certain moment of a season, right now better. No more than that.

“And of course I make mistakes and maybe he should play in other games, or maybe players who play shouldn’t, but it’s my world, my life, and you have to accept it. My job is my job, and I have to do what I believe, and I try to be honest with myself.”

Jack Grealish reflects on ‘the most difficult year’ of his life despite birth of his first daughter with girlfriend Sasha, as he admits to problems ‘on and off pitch’ after being dropped at Man City https://t.co/zaUkk4fvmT

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 10, 2025

After the game, Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish it is time to stand up and fight for his Manchester City future.

‘I want much more,’ said Guardiola, challenging Grealish to compete with Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden for a place in his team. ‘This is the level I would like to see from Jack. But it has not been like that.

‘Clubs bring new players in every season. I don’t have the same squad as when I arrived nine years ago, or when we won the Treble or Quadruple or the 100 points. We have four, five, six players, not more than that. It’s normal.

‘Players have to understand that. No new contract makes a player better, it’s competition in the locker room and on the pitch that makes the players better. They have to feel that.

‘You have to fight with Savinho, the impact he has had this season is amazing. Jeremy Doku is incredible, a top player as well. Phil Foden can play on the left as well, that’s the point. It’s never against a player from my point of view. It’s OK, accept the challenge, prove you are the best.’

‘He is a fighter,’ said Guardiola. ‘I saw that glimpse: I want to rebel. I want to show the manager how wrong he is. I love that. It had to be. In the end it’s about performance. Deliver assists, deliver goals.

‘Omar Marmoush by the end had four chances. He did not score but he was there, his movement created the chances. Phil all the time provokes. Kevin scored. This is what defines us a little bit as a team.’

Grealish has scored one goal and three assists from two FA Cup ties against lower league opposition, but there is expectation for more from a player signed for £100million. ‘The season still is open,’ said Guardiola. ‘I’m happy with the performance he gave.’

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