'Nail in the coffin!' - Jack Grealish urged to seal emotional return to boyhood club Aston Villa after Pep Guardiola axes England outcast from Man City's Club World Cup squad

The winger, who endured a difficult 2024–25 season, is reportedly not among the players selected to represent City on the global stage in the United States later this month. Grealish made only seven starts in the Premier League last season, managing a total of just 715 minutes on the field, a significant drop in involvement for a player of his stature and price tag.

Having joined City from Aston Villa in a British-record transfer, Grealish’s tenure in Manchester has had its highs but has now hit a stumbling block. With the 2026 World Cup in sight, the winger is eager to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the England national team. As a result, he is open to exploring options both within the Premier League and abroad, aiming to reignite his career after a challenging year.

Former Tottenham and Wolves midfielder Jamie O’Hara has publicly advocated for Grealish to make a comeback at Villa Park. Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, O’Hara said the writing is on the wall for Grealish at City, and urged the Midlands club to seize the opportunity to bring their former talisman home.

“Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City is up,” he said. “He’s already got one foot out the door and being left out of the Club World Cup squad by Pep Guardiola is the nail in the coffin for him."

Grealish, being a homegrown star and one of the most technically gifted English midfielders of his generation, would be a natural fit in Unai Emery’s evolving team.

“I think he should go back to Aston Villa; what’s stopping him?" he asked. "The fans loved him; he was a maverick and the star boy in their team. The club have missed out on the Champions League next season, and Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are both looking like they won’t be returning for another season.

"The perfect replacement for those two is Jack Grealish; I still believe he’s a top player. If he’s fit, he’s easily good enough to start for Villa, he’s a local lad and I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t take him back – he’d cost a lot less than what Villa sold him to City for!”

City are prepared to assist Grealish in securing a transfer that benefits all parties. While they are unlikely to recoup the full fee they paid for him, they are ready to negotiate a deal that gives the former Villa captain a fresh platform to showcase his talents.

With regular minutes and a starring role likely out of reach under Guardiola, a move this summer seems inevitable. Whether that next chapter is written back at Aston Villa remains to be seen, but momentum is building for a homecoming that could benefit both player and club. City, meanwhile, will commence their Club World Cup campaign on June 18, facing Wydad AC.