Enzo Maresca stepped onto the podium for his inaugural press conference as the new Manchester City manager and made it clear that he does not intend to simply replicate Pep Guardiola's blueprint. The Italian, who has taken over after a historic six‑year spell that produced six Premier League crowns, an unprecedented four‑in‑a‑row run, and the club's first Champions League triumph, said he will chart his own course while respecting the core principles that have made City successful. Maresca acknowledged the enormity of the challenge.
Replacing a manager of Guardiola's stature is a task that few can even imagine, let alone accomplish. Yet the 46‑year‑old emphasized that his appointment is not about copying the Spanish tactician's methods verbatim. "Every manager is different, day by day and approach to games," he told the assembled journalists. "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 his own footballing identity has always been evident wherever he has worked, and that City’s hierarchy recognised a similarity in philosophy between his ideas and those that had flourished under Guardiola.
"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 said. Maresca’s connection to City is not new.
He first arrived at the Etihad as an academy coach, later moving up to become Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022‑23 season – the campaign in which City completed a historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. This background gives him an intimate understanding of the club’s culture, training standards and the expectations of its global fan base. When asked about the pressure of following Guardiola, Maresca was candid about the personal dimension of the transition. He said he had spoken extensively with Pep since the Spaniard’s departure and that Guardiola deserves a period of rest after a decade of relentless competition, playing matches every three days.
"He needs to enjoy his moment and I also need to do my job and find a solution for myself. After 10 years, playing every three days, it is very demanding. He deserves a relax!" Maresca added. Guardiola, in his own final press conference back in May, offered a simple piece of advice to his successor: "Just be yourself." Maresca echoed that sentiment, insisting that his ambition is to leave a distinct imprint on the club, independent of the successes he achieved in previous roles at Leicester and Chelsea.
He also addressed the inevitable question of 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," Maresca explained, underscoring his belief in a process‑oriented approach. The new boss was also pressed on the captaincy issue following the departure of Bernardo Silva.
He admitted no decision had been made yet, noting that several senior figures – Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland – are in the running and that the final choice will be made after further assessment. Beyond the immediate tactical and leadership concerns, Maresca touched on the squad’s injury situation.
Midfielder Rodri, who suffered an ACL tear in 2024 and missed much of the season before helping Spain win the World Cup, is set to undergo back surgery next week. Maresca confirmed that the club will give Rodri the time he needs to recover fully before returning to first‑team duties.
He also reassured supporters that the club intends to retain the Ballon d'Or winner, despite ongoing speculation linking him with 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 said. Analysts such as Ben Ransom noted that while many elements of City’s structure will remain unchanged – the high‑tech training facilities, the data‑driven scouting network, the ambitious ownership – the human factor of the manager’s personality will inevitably shape the next chapter.
Ransom observed that Maresca appeared comfortable in the role, rejecting the notion that it is the toughest job in football and instead framing it as a privilege to lead a world‑class institution. The summer has already seen significant turnover at City, with several key players departing and new signings arriving.
Maresca emphasized that the transfer window is not yet closed and that the squad will continue to be refined. He highlighted the importance of maintaining continuity in the playing style that fans have come to expect, while also allowing room for his own tactical nuances to develop.
In summary, Enzo Maresca’s first press conference painted a picture of a manager who respects the legacy of his predecessor but refuses to be a mere clone. He promises to blend the existing City identity with his own ideas, to focus on daily improvement rather than only end‑of‑season results, and to manage the squad’s health and morale with a long‑term perspective. The real test will come on the pitch, where his words will be measured against the outcomes of matches in the weeks and months ahead.