Jack Grealish Claims Gareth Southgate Was Wrong After Euro 2024 'Heartbreak'

The Manchester City star was among seven players cut from Gareth Southgate's squad just before the tournament. James Maddison, Harry Maguire, Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, and James Trafford were also omitted.

Southgate attributed Grealish's omission to a lack of form with City over the previous season, stating, "We have players who have been performing exceptionally well all season, and we believe others have had stronger seasons."

Reflecting on the decision, Grealish admitted, "Honestly, it was probably the most challenging experience I've faced in my football career." England went on to lose the final 2-1 to Spain, with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.

"I was absolutely heartbroken and then obviously when you're on your holidays, every time you turn on the phone or turn on the TV or whatever you just see it so it was hard to not to see it. It was the hardest moment for me as a footballer, I've had a lot of ups and downs in my career so it was difficult.

"I did watch it but yeah obviously it's difficult to watch because for me personally I was so desperate to be there and it was obviously very difficult. But for myself now, moving forward, I have to just try to use that as motivation going into this season.

"Myself, I felt like I should have been in the squad. I'm sure every person that didn't get picked in the squad, whether that's myself or any of the other players, would have thought the same."

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Grealish is eagerly anticipating the new season with City and aims to return to his best form. After making just 10 Premier League starts last season, with Pep Guardiola favoring players like Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, Grealish is determined to prove himself and regain his starting position.

"I know it's easy to say, but I feel like me personally, the same with a lot of people, I feel like I'm best when I'm playing with confidence and playing regularly," Grealish added. "When I'm at full fitness, like I was in the second half of the season where we won the treble."