MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola labelled Jack Grealish “an incredible human being” after the midfielder dedicated his goal against Leicester City to his brother on the 25th anniversary of his passing.
Grealish scored his first Premier League goal since December 2023 as City beat Leicester 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
The game was played on the anniversary of his brother’s death and afterwards the 29-year-old posted on social media: “With me always, especially this day. That was for you, Keelan.”
Keelan was just nine months old when he died in April 2000, when Jack was just four.
“Jack is an incredible human being,” said Guardiola.
“I didn’t know [about the anniversary]. I can’t imagine how tough it can be for mum and dad, his sister and all the family.
“It’s good that this day he remembers him. I’m pretty sure they remember every single day. He scored a goal and made a good game.”
Grealish was shifted inside from his usual position on the left and opened the scoring after just two minutes.
It was his first league goal of the season after what has been a frustrating campaign because of injuries and loss of form.
“He likes to play in the middle,” added Guardiola.
“He’s a guy who used to play free. He’s comfortable playing on the side. Always between the lines he has ability. I’m happy for him. I know it’s not easy when you don’t play regularly. Last game in the FA Cup he played really good.”
The defeat leaves Leicester rooted in the relegation places, 12 points from safety with just eight games remaining.
“For me the most important thing is I stay at it and evaluate the games and be the best manager I can be in this situation,” said manager Ruud van Nistelrroy. “That is my job, in an extremely difficult moment. I expect myself to be the first one to react in a good way.”
