'Will any happiness ever come close?' - Jack Grealish opens up on Man City mental struggles as England star thanks Pep Guardiola for support

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Mail, Grealish talked about everything going on with him as he recently returned after an injury-ridden couple of months. He opened up about his expectations after the move to Man City, the feeling of returning to top form and how Guardiola has been supportive throughout the bad phases.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Grealish said: "Guardiola? Playing for this manager the only ever person who has been able to go and do what they want in a Pep team is [Lionel] Messi, which is fair enough. You can't knock what the manager has done, he's an incredible manager, a great guy with a really good heart as well.

"At times this season, I have struggled a little bit with myself and he's been there for me all the time. I owe him a lot. He's a great person and the best manager to ever exist.

"It's been a difficult season for me personally after the highs of last year. I spoke to the manager a lot and he's been so good with me. I owe him a little bit and want to repay him now with my performances and the team as well. I speak to my friends in the [dressing room] every day, I know how important I am to the team. I speak to the manager and at the back end of last season you've seen how much the manager played me."

Grealish was a very important player for Guardiola last season as they won the treble. However, this season the introduction of Jeremy Doku and Grealish's fitness issue have put him lower down the pecking order and the 27-year-old has also invoked the fury of Guardiola at times. Nevertheless, he has returned to form for the Cityzens and could be an important player until the end of the season.

The Englishman is likely to be a part of Guardiola's plans when Man City take on Real Madrid in the quarter-final of the Champions League. The first leg will be played at Santiago Bernabeu on April 9 and the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on April 17.