Jack Grealish reveals why he left Manchester City after impressive Everton debut against Brighton

Jack Grealish has explained his surprise Manchester City exit after starring for Everton in their Premier League win over Brighton. The England international provided two assists and delivered a man-of-the-match performance in just his second game for the Toffees.

Grealish: “I Wanted to Enjoy Football Again”

Speaking to beIN SPORTS after Everton’s 2–1 victory on Sunday (24), the winger opened up on his decision to leave Pep Guardiola’s squad on loan.

“The main thing was to enjoy football, to play every day,” Grealish admitted. “Maybe in the last two years I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. That doesn’t depend on anyone else, it depends on me.”

The 28-year-old added that he missed the excitement of waking up on matchdays with the urge to play:

“I absolutely love football and want to feel that again. Today against Brighton I had that feeling, and I hope my performance showed it.”

Instant Impact at Everton

Grealish was the standout player at Goodison Park, creating three big chances, completing 83% of his passes, registering 57 touches, and delivering two assists. He earned an 8.7 SofaScore rating, the highest of the match.

Guardiola Supported His Exit

Rumors of Grealish’s departure gained momentum after he was left out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup squad. Guardiola later confirmed the move, revealing he supported the winger’s search for regular minutes.

The Spaniard reportedly encouraged Grealish to seek a new club where he could rediscover his best form, aligning with the player’s own desire for more joy and consistency on the pitch.