Jack Grealish Has to Leave Manchester City After Brutal FA Cup Final Snub

‘Pep Guardiola Doesn’t Like Him’ – Alan Shearer Delivers Harsh Verdict on Jack Grealish’s Future

Football can be a beautiful, yet brutal game. And for Jack Grealish, the writing may be on the wall at Manchester City. In what has become one of the most talked-about narratives of the season’s end, Premier League legend Alan Shearer did not hold back in his assessment: “He has to leave.”

It comes after Jack Grealish was left on the bench during the FA Cup final, an omission that has sparked fierce debate about his standing in Pep Guardiola’s plans. Despite being one of the most expensive English footballers of all time, his role at City appears increasingly peripheral. Now, Shearer has voiced what many have been whispering.

What Happened in the FA Cup Final?

Manchester City’s defeat in the 2025 FA Cup final wasn’t just a painful result—it felt like a turning point in the story of Jack Grealish’s City career. As Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and even Claudio Echeverri, a debutant, were brought on in a bid to claw back the match, Jack Grealish remained rooted to the bench.

No injury. No reported issue. Just seemingly not trusted when it mattered most.

That decision spoke volumes. If there was any lingering doubt about Guardiola’s faith in Jack Grealish, it may have been erased at Wembley.

Shearer’s Brutal Analysis

Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, didn’t mince his words:

“His time’s up at Man City. He has to leave. For [Guardiola] to bring on a debutant, a young boy, and Gundogan on when they’re desperate for a goal rather than Jack Grealish, his time is up.”

That kind of assertion, coming from the Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer, is no small commentary. Shearer, known for his sharp football brain and candid commentary, doubled down:

“He’s done at Man City. He has to leave. For whatever reason, Pep’s done with him. He doesn’t like him. His time’s up.”

It was blunt. It was personal. But it was also the kind of hard truth that resonates with fans and pundits alike. And perhaps, even with Jack Grealish himself.

The Bigger Picture: Jack Grealish’s Frustrating 2024-25 Season

Jack Grealish’s 2024-25 campaign has been anything but inspiring. The 29-year-old midfielder has managed just seven Premier League starts, with a total of three goals in 31 appearances across all competitions.

By any measure, that is a poor return for a player who arrived at City amid massive fanfare and a record-breaking £100 million price tag. His flair and charisma, once central to Aston Villa’s identity, seem muted under the mechanical perfection of Guardiola’s system.

Grealish was expected to elevate his game at City, to become the kind of talismanic figure who could bend games at will. Instead, he’s been caught between systems, often looking like a square peg in a round hole.

Jack Grealish Manchester City 2024-25

What Went Wrong for Jack Grealish at City?

In fairness, Jack Grealish has had his moments in a City shirt. He played a key part in their treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, offering width, composure, and intelligent ball retention. But he has rarely been the explosive match-winner fans hoped for.

At Aston Villa, the team was built around him. He had license to roam, to create, to express. At Manchester City, that freedom has been reined in. Guardiola’s system demands discipline, rapid decision-making, and often, the selflessness to play a role rather than the hero.

In that context, Jack Grealish’s natural instincts have been stifled. His numbers reflect it. His body language reflects it. And now, his role in the squad confirms it.

Guardiola’s Trust Has Faded

Jack Grealish Pep Guardiola Manchester City 2024-25

The most damning signal, perhaps, is that Guardiola now appears to trust others more. When chasing a game in a cup final, managers turn to those they believe can make a difference. For Guardiola, that list no longer includes Jack Grealish.

The emergence of younger, hungrier players like Echeverri—a teenager trusted on the biggest stage—suggests that the future is being prioritized. And that future doesn’t seem to feature Jack.

Where Could Jack Grealish Go Next?

So, if his time at City is truly up, what comes next for Jack Grealish? There would be no shortage of interest. Despite recent struggles, Jack Grealish remains a player of immense talent.

A return to Aston Villa? Unlikely, but not impossible. The club has ambitions, and Jack Grealish is still adored in Birmingham. Newcastle United? Their rise, coupled with Eddie Howe’s more free-flowing attacking style, could be a great fit.

A move abroad might also be on the cards. Jack Grealish’s technique, personality, and flair could shine in Serie A or La Liga, where games are often less physically intense and more suited to creative playmakers.

Contract Situation and Financial Reality

Grealish still has two years left on his Manchester City deal. The club won’t let him leave on the cheap. But if City are willing to recoup even a portion of their investment, and Jack Grealish is eager for a fresh start, a transfer this summer makes sense for all parties.

It would mark the end of a chapter that promised much but ultimately fell short of expectations. But football is full of stories of reinvention, and at 29,Jack  Grealish still has time to write a few more.

What Next for Manchester City?

City, as always, will move forward. With talents like Foden, Echeverri, and the ever-reliable Bernardo Silva, Guardiola’s squad remains stacked. The club will likely continue to evolve, bringing in younger, more dynamic profiles suited to Pep’s high-intensity system.

In that evolution, there may be no room left for Jack Grealish. And perhaps, that’s okay.

Final Thoughts

Football careers are often defined not just by triumphs, but by decisions. For Jack Grealish, this summer could be the most important one of his career.

He’s tasted glory at the highest level, winning Premier League and Champions League medals. But now, the choice is whether to continue as a squad player in a system that no longer suits him, or to step away and rediscover the version of himself that had fans across the country enthralled.

One thing is clear: Alan Shearer might be right. Jack Grealish has to leave. Not because he’s failed, but because sometimes, to grow, you need to let go.

A new beginning might be exactly what he needs.