Enzo Maresca opened his tenure at Manchester City with a clear statement: he will not simply replicate Pep Guardiola's methods, but will forge his own path. The 46‑year‑old Italian faces a daunting challenge, stepping into the shoes of a manager who amassed six Premier League crowns—including an unprecedented four‑in‑a‑row—plus a historic Champions League triumph during his spell at the Etihad.
Yet Maresca insists his appointment is not about mimicking the Spaniard’s achievements. He pledged to "do my job, in the way I want," acknowledging that while his tactical preferences share some common ground with Guardiola’s, he intends to apply them in his own fashion. Maresca returns to City for a third chapter in his career.
He first joined the club as an academy coach, later advancing to become Guardiola’s assistant for the 2022‑23 season, a campaign that culminated in a historic treble. In his inaugural press conference, he addressed the inevitable pressure of succeeding one of the modern game’s most successful figures.
"Every manager is different, day by day and approach to games," he said. "We are seeing which way we need to tweak some concepts. I don’t think they just copy and paste.
I don’t see the football in the same way as the previous manager, that is why I don’t believe in copy and paste." He went on to explain that each club he has joined possesses a distinct identity, which is why the City board felt his philosophy aligned with theirs. "I think there is a clear identity at the former clubs I have joined. That is probably the reason the club decided for me, they can see a similar concept with the previous manager," Maresca added.
When asked about his relationship with Guardiola after the latter’s departure, Maresca spoke with respect and empathy. "I have spoken with Pep a lot since he decided to leave the club.
He needs to enjoy his moment and I also need to do my job and find a solution for myself. After ten years, playing every three days, it is very demanding. He deserves a relax!" He highlighted the physical and mental toll that managing at the highest level can take, underscoring his belief that the outgoing boss deserves a period of rest. Guardiola, in his final press conference as City manager back in May, offered a simple piece of advice to his successor: "Just be yourself." Maresca echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his desire to imprint his own style on the team while recognizing the relentless expectation of delivering silverware at a club of City’s stature.
"With this kind of club, you need to win titles. But if you just focus on the final target, you miss all the previous parts. I am a manager who loves the day by day.
Preparing sessions and spending time with my players," Maresma said. He stressed that his focus is on the immediate tasks—training, tactics, and player development—rather than obsessing over distant milestones.
"At the end, for sure, the target is to win titles with this club. The two previous clubs [Leicester and Chelsea], we delivered and won titles.
I am not thinking about May or June, I am thinking about now and tomorrow. We will see day by day." Regarding the captaincy, Maresca admitted no decision had been made about who would replace Bernardo Silva.
He mentioned three potential candidates—Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland—and hinted that further deliberation would follow. Analyst Ben Ransom noted that Maresca’s first press conference blended familiarity with fresh perspective.
While the Italian acknowledged the enormity of the role, he framed it as a privilege rather than a burden. He expressed confidence that he could succeed where others—such as David Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson or Unai Emery after Arsène Wenger—had struggled, placing trust in the broader City infrastructure to navigate inevitable obstacles. Maresca also addressed the squad’s health concerns. Midfielder Rodri, who underwent back surgery, is expected to return after a period of rest and rehabilitation.
Maresca affirmed his intention to keep the former Ballon d’Or winner at City despite rumors linking him to Real Madrid. "Around a big player, there are always speculation so I’m not worried about that. I think it’s normal also because he won the World Cup. He was one of the best players and I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player.
But now he has surgery, he needs holiday, he needs to rest, he needs to recover and then he will be back here with us," Maresca explained. In summary, Enzo Maresca’s debut as Manchester City’s head coach was marked by a firm declaration of independence, a respect for the club’s winning culture, and a pragmatic focus on daily progress. He acknowledges the shadow cast by Guardiola’s record but insists his own tactical blueprint will evolve organically, tailored to the strengths of his squad. The coming months will test his ability to balance continuity with innovation, manage player fitness, and ultimately deliver the trophies that City’s fans expect.
The journey has just begun, and Maresca appears ready to write the next chapter of the City story on his own terms.