Pep Guardiola Apologizes to Jack Grealish Over England Snub
Jack Grealish has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, with the new Three Lions boss citing the winger’s limited minutes at Manchester City as the primary reason for his omission.
Grealish, 29, has struggled for game time under Pep Guardiola this season, managing just 605 minutes across 16 Premier League appearances, with only 34 minutes played in 2025. Tuchel acknowledged that Grealish expressed frustration over his lack of playing time, which has impacted his sharpness and form.
Speaking about Grealish’s situation, Guardiola issued an apology, admitting it is difficult to rotate his squad given the competition for places.
“I feel so sorry for all of the players who don’t play,” Guardiola said. “What can I say? Kova [Mateo Kovacic], Nico [O’Reilly], and James McAtee as well. When we have games every three days, it’s easier to rotate, but right now, I have to decide based on quality.”
“All managers have to make the right decisions. When they select 11 players, they do it to win. I’ve never seen a manager pick a team thinking they will lose. If we win, I’m right. If we don’t, it could have been better.”
Grealish’s Future at City in Doubt
With two years remaining on his contract, Grealish is expected to be among the players City could sell this summer, as the club prepares for a potential squad overhaul. Having signed him for a club-record £100m in 2021, City are set to take a significant loss should they decide to move the winger on.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Grealish’s future remains uncertain, but his England omission has further highlighted the challenges he faces at the Etihad.
