Enzo Maresca stepped onto the podium for his inaugural press conference as the new Manchester City manager and made one thing perfectly clear: he does not intend to be a mere replica of his predecessor. The former Italian midfielder, who has taken over from Pep Guardiola, stressed that while he respects the legacy left behind, his own approach will be distinct and tailored to his own ideas.
The challenge Maresca faces is enormous. Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad was nothing short of historic, delivering six Premier League crowns – including an unprecedented four‑in‑a‑row – and guiding the club to its first Champions League triumph.
Replicating that level of success is a daunting prospect for any coach, let alone one stepping into the shoes of a manager widely regarded as one of the best in modern football. Yet Maresca was adamant that his appointment is not about mimicking the Spanish tactician’s blueprint. "I will do my job in the way I want," he said, acknowledging that his preferred style shares some DNA with Guardiola’s possession‑based philosophy but emphasizing that he will not simply copy‑paste tactics. At 46, Maresda returns to City for a third spell.
He began his journey with the club as an academy coach, later joining Guardiola’s staff as an assistant during the 2022‑23 season – the campaign that saw City complete a historic treble. This background gives him an intimate understanding of the club’s culture and expectations, but it also reinforces his desire to carve out his own identity. "Every manager is different, day by day, and in the way they approach games," he explained.
"We are seeing which concepts need tweaking. I don’t believe in a copy‑and‑paste mentality." Maresca also addressed the perception that City’s hierarchy chose him because his ideas align with those of the previous manager.
"There is a clear identity at the clubs I have joined before, and perhaps that is why the board felt I could fit in here," he said. He added that while he respects Guardiola’s achievements, the former boss now deserves a period of relaxation after a decade of relentless competition.
"I have spoken with Pep a lot since he decided to leave. He needs to enjoy his moment, and I need to focus on my own responsibilities," Maresca noted. When asked about Guardiola’s parting advice, the Spaniard’s final press conference in May offered a simple yet profound directive: "Just be yourself." Maresca echoed this sentiment, insisting that his priority is to imprint his own mark on the club, independent of the accolades he earned during his earlier spells at Leicester and Chelsea.
Nevertheless, he is fully aware that the pressure to deliver silverware at Manchester City is unrelenting. "With a club of this stature, you have to win titles, but if you only focus on the end result you miss everything that leads up to it," he said. "I love the day‑by‑day work – planning sessions, spending time with the players. The ultimate goal is trophies, but I’m thinking about now and tomorrow, not just May or June." The new manager also fielded questions about the captaincy.
While Bernardo Silva remains the current skipper, Maresca has not yet decided who will succeed him. He mentioned three candidates – Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland – and hinted that a decision will be made after further assessment. Analyst Ben Ransom observed that Maresca’s first press conference was a blend of continuity and change.
He smoothly filled the void left by Guardiola and expressed admiration for his former boss, yet he rejected the notion that succeeding the best manager in the world is the toughest job in football. Instead, he framed the appointment as a privilege and an opportunity to prove himself where others, such as David Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson or Unai Emery after Arsène Wenger, struggled.
Maresca also touched on squad matters. Midfielder Rodri, who suffered an ACL injury in 2024 and later played a part in Spain’s World Cup victory, is set for back surgery.
The manager confirmed that Rodri will undergo the operation next week and will need a period of rest before returning to training. Despite rumors linking the former Ballon d’Or winner with Real Madrid, Maresca insisted that speculation is normal for a player of his caliber and that the club intends to keep him at City. "He needs to recover, take a holiday, and then he’ll be back with us," Maresca said.
Overall, Maresca’s message was one of confidence and realism. He acknowledged the massive expectations that accompany the City badge, but he also emphasized his belief in the club’s infrastructure and his own ability to adapt and evolve the team’s style. The summer has already brought significant changes, and while the transfer window remains open, Maresca appears determined to maintain certain core principles while injecting his own ideas.
As the season approaches, the football world will watch closely to see whether his promise of a non‑copy‑paste approach can translate into continued success for one of the Premier League’s most dominant forces.