Former Manchester City manager points blame at Jack Grealish for Etihad Stadium decline | OneFootball

Jack Grealish is solely to blame for his decline in importance and performance levels at Manchester City, claims former Etihad Stadium boss Stuart Pearce.

The England international’s future remains one of the more complex stories of City’s summer, with several clubs monitoring his situation, including West Ham United and Tottenham from within the Premier League.

While uncertainty lingers around the club’s willingness to sanction a loan exit, Grealish is aiming to keep his prospects of a World Cup call-up next summer alive despite just 10 appearances as a Premier League starter last season.

The 2024/25 campaign proved a difficult one on both a physical and tactical level for Grealish, who was hit by injury setbacks and fell behind Jeremy Doku in the pecking order on Pep Guardiola’s left-hand side of attack.

The arrival of Rayan Cherki and expected resurgence of Oscar Bobb now suggest even fewer opportunities going forward, especially as Guardiola looks to refresh his attack with more directness and unpredictability.

While City remain open to suitable offers, recent developments have narrowed Grealish’s immediate options. Everton had been touted as a potential landing spot due to his personal preference to remain in the north, but club sources on Merseyside have since distanced themselves from a deal.

Speaking on behalf of CLUB, former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce was keen to point the blame for Jack Grealish’s decline at the Etihad Stadium solely on the England international himself as the player continues to seek out a fresh opportunity in the game this summer.

“Does Jack Grealish need to move away from City? 100 per cent he does. He’s sat on the bench too often. He’s not playing football which must be hard as he’s one who loves to play. He’s got to rekindle some of the forthright Jack Grealish play that we saw at Aston Villa, picking the ball up, driving at defenders,” insisted Pearce.

He continued, “He’s got his game into a habit where he’s quite happy to stop the ball and go backwards too readily. I spent all my time as a full back. You give me a winger that wants to go backwards all the time, I’m absolutely delighted.

“At the end of his career, Jack will be judged on how many goals and assists that he’s actually contributed. There’s not enough on both tallies.  The buck stops with the player in my eyes. You’ve got to force the manager’s hand to play you regularly all the time.”

The former City boss added, “And when you’re on that pitch, you’ve got to deliver performances to make sure you stay in the team. As a player, I would always point the finger at myself if my performances weren’t good enough.”

The perception that Jack Grealish has failed to replicate his Aston Villa form has been echoed across pundit circles, with many now suggesting that a move away from Manchester City is not just likely – but essential – for the forward’s career trajectory.

With just over a month remaining in the transfer window, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Grealish stays to fight for his place or accepts a move to reignite his form elsewhere.

A return to his attacking best could still serve both club and country ahead of a major international tournament summer in 2026, but only if he can find consistent minutes – something that looks increasingly difficult under Pep Guardiola’s evolving system.

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