Pep Guardiola has dismissed concerns surrounding Jack Grealish’s recent pub pictures, stating that he doesn’t judge players based on their personal lives but rather on their performances on the pitch. The Manchester City manager’s comments come after the £100m forward was seen enjoying himself on a night out in the North East, visiting a social club and two other venues that served alcohol. The images sparked some debate, especially given Grealish’s struggles with injuries and form this season.
Despite the attention surrounding the incident, Guardiola maintains that players are entitled to have a life outside of football. “A day off is a day off, there is no training. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life. I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions, and the performances in the game. That’s where I judge the players,” Guardiola explained.
This relaxed stance is a departure from the way some managers approach their players’ off-field activities. While discipline has been a hallmark of Guardiola’s tenure at City, he seems willing to grant his players some freedom when it comes to their downtime. This approach contrasts with the stricter regulations enforced by other coaches who closely monitor their players’ off-pitch behavior, particularly when the team’s results aren’t meeting expectations.
Grealish’s night out involved more than just socializing; he was also spotted putting money behind the bar and treating other customers to drinks. His public outing raised questions about whether such behavior could affect his standing at City, especially given that he has been struggling for consistent game time. The England international has started just one Premier League match since early December and has been limited to just 14 starts across all competitions this season.
Injuries have certainly played a role in Grealish’s reduced involvement, but his difficulty in securing a regular place in the starting XI has also been noticeable. Some have speculated that his off-field activities, particularly his visible socializing, might impact his position at City. However, Guardiola remains unfazed by such speculation, reaffirming that only Grealish’s on-field performances will determine his future at the club.
Guardiola acknowledged the frustrations that many of his players may feel, particularly those who aspire to represent their countries on the international stage, such as in the World Cup or European Cup. However, he emphasized that he is not concerned with these external pressures. “I understand all the frustrations of all my players. It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup and the European Cup with his national team. I’m not bothered by that. What happens in terms of Jack, in terms of everyone, they will be treated at the end of the season,” he said.
While Grealish’s situation continues to be a talking point, Guardiola’s focus remains on securing more silverware for Manchester City. The team’s success is at the forefront of the manager’s mind, and he is determined to keep all of his players focused on the challenges ahead. Despite the noise around Grealish’s personal life, Guardiola insists that his players’ performance on the field will ultimately determine their future at the club. For now, City’s priority is clear: continuing to compete for titles and ensuring that the squad remains unified in their pursuit of success.
