Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has given fans a glimpse into his life beyond football, revealing early plans for a second career after he eventually hangs up his boots.
At 29, with two years left on his City contract, Grealish has started exploring his longtime passion for music — despite admitting he initially struggled. Taking a break this week as City prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, Grealish shared on Instagram that he has been practicing his DJ skills with Rudosa, a well-known figure in the electronic music scene.
“Some practice with the guvnaaa. Trying to plan my first set,” Grealish wrote.
While it might be a stretch to picture him headlining an Ibiza festival just yet, music has been a consistent interest for Grealish. Back in 2022, he told Josh Denzel on TNT Sports that he was learning to DJ under the nickname “DJ Grealo,” confessing at the time:
“I’m awful, but everything takes time. I love all kinds of music — ’80s, house, RnB, hip hop, ’90s — a bit of everything.”
Grealish also shared that he’s learning Spanish — though he joked it comes with a strong Birmingham accent — as part of his goal to develop hobbies outside of football.
In 2023, he took a big step by hosting his first DJ set alongside Oliver Heldens as part of Manchester City’s sponsorship deal with OKX, performing in the ‘OKX Collective Metaverse.’
While coaching is the typical route for many retired players, Grealish seems to be carving out his own unique path. However, uncertainty remains about his immediate future in football. Amid reduced playing time under Pep Guardiola, Grealish has been linked with a possible move away from City, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly among the clubs showing interest.
As Grealish explores life off the pitch, it’s clear he’s not afraid to step outside the traditional mold — even if it means enduring a few “awful” sessions along the way.
