Jack Grealish loved his time at Everton (Image: Getty Images)
Incoming Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is reportedly keen to throw a lifeline to outcast Jack Grealish, which could put a block on a permanent move to Everton. Maresca is widely expected to step into Pep Guardiola’s shoes at the Etihad in the coming days.
The Italian is understood to be planning discussions with Grealish regarding the possibility of resurrecting his City career. Grealish spent the current campaign on loan at Everton after finding himself surplus to requirements at the Etihad. The England midfielder’s relationship with Guardiola soured towards the end of last season, and he was notably left out of the squad for the Club World Cup in the United States.
Grealish sought a fresh start and linked up with Everton in a bid to rediscover his best form. However, his stint at Goodison Park was cut short in January when he sustained a stress fracture of his foot, ruling him out of this summer’s World Cup.
The 30-year-old had concluded that his long-term prospects at City were bleak while Guardiola remained at the helm, and had set his sights on making his move to Everton permanent. Yet Guardiola’s departure after a decade in charge could prompt a remarkable change of heart from Grealish.
It is understood that should Maresca take over, the Italian believes Grealish could once again play a pivotal role in the club’s future. Grealish, who cost City a British record £100m in 2021, will enter the final 12 months of his contract next month.
Everton remain eager to secure his signature permanently, but Maresca could yet prove decisive in shaping Grealish’s next move.
Unless instructed otherwise, Grealish will be expected to report back for pre-season training at the Etihad in July, ahead of the club’s summer tour of the Far East.
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Jack Grealish rediscovered some of his best form at Everton before his injury (Image: Getty)
Grealish has maintained strong friendships with the majority of the City squad and shares a particularly close bond with Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan has set his sights on returning to Man City as part of the coaching set-up in the future. Gundogan has ruled out joining the new management structure this season.
Gundogan has 12 months left to run on his Galatasaray contract, and is keen to complete one further campaign with the Turkish side. Yet the German acknowledges he would welcome a move into coaching upon retirement – and believes an opportunity could await him at the Etihad.
The 35-year-old ranks among the most successful players in City’s history. The midfielder claimed 14 major honours across two stints under Guardiola, and led City as captain to a historic treble in 2023.
The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund midfielder said: “Of course, there’s a chance. “Obviously, it depends a little on my own decisions, on my drive also, in terms of how I want to evolve after finishing my active (playing) career.
“I feel like I still have a couple of really good years in me. I would like to play a little more, because I’m still enjoying it.
“But obviously long-term, everyone knows it’s not a secret that I started doing my coaching badges, you know, and tried to see in which direction I would like to go, you know, after my career.
“And there’s definitely potential, 100 per cent. I mean, this place has given me, as a player, everything I wanted. So why not try it also in a different role?”