Pep Guardiola didn’t ruin Jack Grealish the move just didn’t go as planned | OneFootball

It was revealed by Matt Law for the Telegraph that Jack Grealish won’t be a part of Manchester City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Based on that revelation it is obvious to see that Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City is coming to an end. It is now almost certain that he will depart the club this summer.

Since Matt Law’s report came out there has been talk that Pep Guardiola has ‘ruined’ Jack Grealish as a player. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Grealish came to Manchester City to win trophies. He’s done just that. But his game just hasn’t gone to another level and that rests solely on Grealish and not on the shoulders of Pep Guardiola.

Jamie O’Hara believes that Pep Guardiola ruined Jack Grealish as a player.

Speaking on TalkSport, pundit Jamie O’Hara believes that Pep Guardiola has ruined Jack Grealish as a player. Speaking on the decision of Manchester City to let Jack Grealish leave this summer, O’Hara said: “I’m a bit annoyed at Pep. I think he’s like a spoiled brat… he’s spent £100 million on Jack Grealish, right. Ruined him as a football player.”

Jamie O’Hara further explained: “How many players have gone there and been absolute flops? And they just get rid of him. Oh, no, no, we just get someone else… I wanted more from Pep in that situation, to be fair. I think it’s a bit harsh on Jack.”

Jack Grealish could have done more as a Manchester City player but it wasn’t to be.

Since arriving at Manchester City, Jack Grealish has been collected three Premier League winners’ medals, as well as Champions League, FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup winners’ medals. That is a fair trophy haul for the England international. Grealish was a key player in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign during the 22/23 season. His move to the Etihad has worked out in terms of winning trophies. That cannot be disputed. But Jack Grealish hasn’t kicked on as a player either. That fact also cannot be disputed.

But has Pep Guardiola ruined Jack Grealish as a player? The answer is clearly no he hasn’t. For whatever reason, Grealish hasn’t taken his game to another level at Manchester City. That solely rests on Grealish. Not Pep Guardiola. Grealish was allowed the opportunity to become an integral player in the City set up after the 22/23 season. But niggling injuries have restricted him and his overall performances haven’t lived up to the £100 million price tag. That is the reality of the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons for Grealish. There has also been a suggestion that Guardiola has managed the flair out of Grealish’s game. When you dig deeper that isn’t entirely accurate either.

Pep Guardiola doesn’t coach the flair out of players. That take isn’t correct. Yes, Pep Guardiola’s side does look to control matches with their possession play. That’s not and never has been in question. But when the opportunity is there, Pep Guardiola allows his flair players to shine. Under Guardiola, we have seen players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Riyad Mahrez shine and star for Manchester City. Each player listed there played to their strengths and wasn’t solely expected to control games or stick to the system so to speak. It would have been counterproductive for those players listed to play that way. This season Jeremy Doku and Savinho were actively encouraged to get at their opponents in wide areas. That is the strength of their games. Guardiola expects them to play to those strengths for the betterment of the team.

Summary.

Jack Grealish could have thrived as a player at Manchester City. But for a host of reasons he hasn’t been able to regularly produce his best football since the 22/23 season. That isn’t the fault of Pep Guardiola. Some blame must fall at the feet of Grealish rather than it all being pinned on Pep Guardiola.

Fitness issues, a lack of confidence and a loss of motivation have conspired against Grealish during the past two seasons of his Manchester City career. That isn’t Pep Guardiola’s fault, it’s just the way it has panned out. The hope is that Grealish can move on from Manchester City this summer and return to his best. But it’s up to Grealish to do just that. No one else can do it for him. That may be the lesson to be learned from Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City for the England international.