‘Don't come here' – Pep Guardiola confirms Jack Grealish exit plan and says what Man City ace must do to rebuild career
PEP GUARDIOLA confirmed Jack Grealish's transfer exit plan.
And he revealed what the £100million man must do to rebuild his career.
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Grealish, 29, joined City from Aston Villa for the club-record fee in 2021.
He has won three Premier League titles at the Etihad and played a key part in the 2022-23 Treble-winning season.
However, Grealish managed just 715 Prem minutes last season and made seven starts - chipping in with one goal and one assist.
The England international added four goal involvements in the FA Cup but was noticeably snubbed in favour of debutant teenager Claudio Echeverri when City trailed Crystal Palace in the final.
SunSport exclusively revealed Grealish was told he is no longer part of Guardiola's plans - and would be snubbed from the squad at the Club World Cup.
Guardiola was quizzed on his stance and the latest on Grealish when he spoke to the media ahead of their Wednesday Group G opener against Wydad.
And he confirmed it was decided for the best that the playmaker did not travel to the United States.
Asked if Grealish's future is away from the Etihad, the Spanish manager said: "I don't know. Now we decided 'don't come here' and what happens in the end I don't know.
"If we don't find [a transfer], he's a player for Man City and he will be back.
"He had a conversation between him and the club and they decided it was best [to miss Club World Cup].
Jack Grealish has gone from eye-catching showman and heartthrob to miserable bench warmer - and I know who's to blame
"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.
"Incredible love and respect and we decided 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.
"Without him, it would have been more difficult in the year of the Treble."
SunSport also revealed both Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen are considering moves for the former Aston Villa captain.
Everton may also test the waters to lure him to their new stadium.
Now we also understand Napoli could make a £45m bid for Grealish where he would reunite with Kevin De Bruyne.
And Guardiola has given Grealish the blueprint to reigniting his football fire.
The boss advised: "The fact is in the last two seasons, he didn't play many 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."
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