Grealish set to move on as Guardiola hints at City exit | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola hasn’t ruled out a return for Jack Grealish at Manchester City, but admitted it might be best for the England midfielder to move on after two frustrating years on the sidelines.

Grealish was left out of City’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup and has been given the green light to explore options elsewhere ahead of a possible summer transfer away from the Etihad.

He’s had a tough time getting on the pitch recently, with just seven Premier League starts over the past season.

Now, with growing speculation about a move, Guardiola has acknowledged that a fresh start could be the right move for Grealish, saying a change of scene might be what he needs to get his career back on track.

The City boss said the decision came after “honest” discussions between Grealish and the club. While he didn’t completely close the door on Grealish’s future at City, he did suggest the player needs to find a new environment to rediscover his spark and enjoyment of the game.

Guardiola told reporters at the Club World Cup, after leaving Grealish out of his squad: "He had a conversation between him and the club and they decided it was best [to stay behind].

"Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn't play last season is of course my decisions. We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest.

"We decide the best is to stay [behind] and have a place that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the treble or all his career in Aston Villa.

"The fact is in the last two seasons he didn't play much minutes. He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days, every three days and show again the quality he has."