Jack Grealish offered Man City lifeline by Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola snub

Jack Grealish’s Manchester City future remains uncertain, but new manager Enzo Maresca has at least left the door ajar. Speaking at his first press conference as City boss, Maresca refused to rule out the £100million winger staying at the Etihad Stadium despite Grealish’s loan exit to Everton last season and a difficult campaign blighted by injury.

Maresca’s measured stance on Grealish

Grealish’s loan spell at Everton was cut short by a stress fracture in his foot, leaving him sidelined as City transitioned to a post-Guardiola era. The 30-year-old’s future had looked bleak under Pep Guardiola, who froze him out of first-team plans, but Maresca—who worked with Grealish as Guardiola’s assistant—has taken a more pragmatic approach.

“At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player,” Maresca said. “I always said the same. In any club I join, I like to know if there are players that belong to the club. It’s my duty to try to coach them. Jack is here. I have a good relation with Jack since I left. Also, we keep in touch, and the reason why is because he has a big heart and he’s a very good guy. So this is the reason why. And then we see what happens.”

Everton, meanwhile, are understood to be keen on bringing Grealish back to Merseyside once he recovers. His brief loan stint yielded two goals and six assists, including a standout performance against his former club Aston Villa. The Toffees’ interest adds pressure on Maresca to clarify Grealish’s role, though the Italian’s reluctance to close the door entirely suggests he is not yet ready to dispense with the club’s record signing.

Rodri’s surgery and transfer speculation

Maresca also addressed the future of Rodri, who has been linked with a move away from City after winning the World Cup and the Golden Ball. The Spanish midfielder is set to undergo minor back surgery on Monday, which will rule him out for the start of the Premier League season. Despite the speculation, Maresca dismissed concerns, insisting Rodri will return.

“First of all I have to say, that around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that,” Maresca said. “I think it is normal, also because they won the World Cup, because he is one of the best players. I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player. But now, surgery on Monday. He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us.”

The timing of Rodri’s surgery complicates City’s preparations for the new season, but Maresca’s insistence that the midfielder remains part of his plans provides some clarity amid the uncertainty. The club’s transfer business is far from finished, with Maresca acknowledging “a few things to do” in the window, though he avoided specifics about Grealish or goalkeeper James Trafford.

Guardiola’s unexpected nod to Grealish

Grealish’s situation is further complicated by Guardiola’s own comments last October, when the former City manager hinted that the winger could still have a future at the club. Speaking ahead of a Premier League clash with Everton, Guardiola said: “I think he has a contract for one more year with us. The important thing is he is back. He is a massive influence in the Everton games. After what’s happened, maybe Manchester City want him back, but I don’t know.”

Guardiola’s remarks, made while Grealish was still on loan at Everton, suggested a rare moment of openness about the player’s prospects. However, the Catalan’s departure has shifted the dynamic, leaving Maresca to navigate Grealish’s role in a squad undergoing significant transition. The new manager’s measured tone contrasts with the urgency of a club now tasked with defining itself without Guardiola’s 10-year legacy.

What comes next for Grealish and City

Maresca’s first weeks in charge have been defined by pragmatism rather than sweeping declarations. His refusal to rule out Grealish’s future at City is a tactical pause, not a promise. The club’s transfer strategy remains fluid, with Rodri’s surgery adding another variable to an already complex equation.

For Grealish, the path forward depends on Maresca’s assessment of his fitness and tactical fit. The winger’s relationship with the new manager—built during their time together under Guardiola—could prove decisive. Yet with Everton circling and City’s squad in flux, the coming weeks will determine whether Grealish remains at the Etihad or seeks a fresh start elsewhere.

One thing is clear: Maresca is not rushing to make decisions. His first press conference set a tone of cautious optimism, but the real test will come when Grealish returns to full training and the transfer window closes. Until then, the £100million man’s future hangs in the balance.

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