Enzo Maresca stepped onto the podium for his inaugural press conference as the new Manchester City manager and made one thing perfectly clear: he will not be a "copy‑and‑paste" version of his predecessor, Pep Guardiola. The 46‑year‑old Italian, who has returned to the Etihad for a third spell – first as an academy coach, then as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic treble‑winning 2022‑23 season – now faces the monumental challenge of following one of the most successful managers in modern football. Guardiola’s tenure at City produced six Premier League crowns, including an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles, and culminated in the club’s first Champions League triumph.
Those achievements have set an almost unattainable benchmark, and the pressure on Maresca to deliver silverware is immediate and relentless. Yet, rather than positioning himself as a carbon copy of the Spaniard, Maresca insisted that his approach will be distinct, even if there are philosophical overlaps. "Every manager is different, day by day and in the way they approach games," Maresca told the assembled journalists. "We are seeing which way we need to tweak some concepts.
I don’t think we just copy and paste. I don’t see the football in the same way as the previous manager, which is why I don’t believe in copy and paste." He went on to explain that the clubs he has previously worked for – Leicester City and Chelsea – each possessed a clear identity that resonated with the board, and that City’s hierarchy likely saw a similarity in vision when they appointed him. "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," he said.
Maresca also addressed the personal side of the transition, noting the respect he has for Guardiola and the need for the outgoing boss to enjoy a well‑deserved break after a decade of relentless competition. "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 added. When asked about his own ambitions, Maresca emphasized the importance of day‑to‑day work rather than fixating solely on end‑of‑season trophies. "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. At the end, for sure, the target is to win titles with this club. The two previous clubs, 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," he explained. The new boss was also queried about the captaincy, specifically whether Bernardo Silva would retain the armband. Maresca replied that a decision had not yet been made, mentioning that the leadership group currently includes Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland, and that further discussion would follow.
Analyst Ben Ransom noted that Maresca’s remarks balanced acknowledgment of the massive task ahead with confidence in his own abilities and in the City structure. He highlighted that Maresca rejected the notion that succeeding Guardiola is the toughest job in the world, instead framing it as a privilege to inherit such a well‑resourced institution.
"He believes he can succeed where the likes of David Moyes (post‑Ferguson) and Unai Emery (post‑Wenger) failed, his confidence placed in the wider Man City organisation to overcome the inevitable challenges," Ransom wrote. Maresca also touched on squad matters. He confirmed that midfielder Rodri, who is recovering from back surgery, will return to training once cleared, and he reiterated his intention to keep the former Ballon d’Or winner at the club despite ongoing speculation linking him with Real Madrid. "Around a big player, there is 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 and needs holiday, he needs to rest, he needs to recover and then he will be back here with us," Maresca said.
The interview also revealed that the club’s transfer window remains active, with the management team still assessing needs despite the summer’s extensive turnover. Maresca’s calm demeanor and self‑assured smile suggested he is comfortable with the task ahead and believes the City project is entering an exciting new phase. In summary, Enzo Maresca’s first press conference painted a picture of a manager who respects the legacy of Pep Guardiola but refuses to be a mere replica. He plans to blend his own tactical nuances with the existing City philosophy, focus on incremental progress, and maintain a clear identity within the squad.
The true test will come on the pitch, where he must translate his words into results and prove that a fresh voice can thrive at the very top of English and European football.