Manchester — Jack Grealish may be facing an uncertain future at Manchester City, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming he will wait until the end of the season to decide the winger’s fate.
The England international, once a star in City’s historic treble-winning side just two years ago, has found himself watching from the sidelines more often than not this campaign. He’s started only seven Premier League matches, and didn’t feature at all in Saturday’s shock FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
That absence, especially in such a high-stakes match, has only fueled rumours that Grealish could be on his way out this summer.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Guardiola played down speculation but admitted talks would be needed. “We didn’t talk — I didn’t talk with him,” he said. “People don’t believe me, but these things belong to the agents and the club.”
He added that City’s outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, and his incoming replacement, Hugo Viana, will take the lead in discussions with Grealish’s representatives.
“What is going to happen will happen,” Guardiola said, “but he has to come back and start to play minutes again.”
Grealish, who turns 30 later this year, still has two years left on his contract. But he has seen his influence wane during a season in which others, including Phil Foden and new signings, have stepped up.
Guardiola acknowledged that Grealish, like any sidelined player, isn’t content.
“It’s not only Jack,” he said. “There is not one player in my dressing room — and I think in all dressing rooms around the world — that is happy when they don’t play. They are here to play, and when they don’t, they are not satisfied. That’s normal.”
While Grealish’s future remains undecided, another chapter is closing with certainty. Kevin De Bruyne, the midfield maestro who helped define Guardiola’s City, is set to play his final home match for the club on Tuesday against Bournemouth.
The 33-year-old Belgian’s contract ends in June. Though he’s insisted he still has more to give, recurring injuries and a dip in form have convinced the club that it’s time to move on after a decade of success and 16 trophies.
“There are players who are really difficult to replace — really, really difficult,” Guardiola admitted. “We know that. But the season we’ve had is the one we’ve had, and we can’t deny it. Of course, we have to move forward.”
As City look to the future, the summer promises big decisions — and for Grealish, the wait continues.
