Grealish looks almost certain to leave Manchester City this summer after one final snub
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Jack Grealish looks on
Jack Grealish was not part of Manchester City’s squad to face Fulham (Mike Egerton/PA)
An animated Pep Guardiola accepted Jack Grealish could leave Manchester City this summer after he was dropped for the club's final match of the season.
Ilkay Gundogan's stunning overhead kick and Erling Haaland's second-half penalty fired City to a 2-0 win against Fulham and qualification for the Champions League after finishing third.
However, record signing Grealish did not travel to London for a fixture which Guardiola had previously described as the most important of City's campaign.
"It was selection," said Guardiola. "Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days.
"It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, and that's with us, or another place. And that's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one to make a contribution, but not today."
Grealish, 29, signed from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British record £100million, and played a key role in City securing the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup to complete a historic treble two years later.
However, he has started just seven times in the league this season, and was an unused substitute in City's FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
Put to Guardiola that he is unhappy with Grealish, the Spaniard snapped back: "Who said I'm not happy with Jack? Rico (Lewis) was not selected, (James) McAtee was exceptional against Aston Villa and Wolves. Why not ask me about McAtee?
"It's not personal. I have 24 players, I have to get rid of six players for the last game and five today because (Mateo) Kovacic got sent off.
"I'm the person who fought for Jack to come here, and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season. I'm the one who said: 'I want Jack Grealish '. What happens in the future is a job for (directors of football) Txiki (Begiristain), Hugo (Viana) and the agents."