Manchester City have announced their ambitions with unsettling confidence, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during the preseason. She warned, “A true champion is someone who goes and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off. But a champion does it over and over.” This distinction between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins the club’s early season strategy.
Starting the campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed this term – serves as proof of Greenwood’s belief that a champion is forged through continual progress, not merely isolated triumphs. By consistently backing up earlier successes, a team cements its status as a genuine title‑contender.
After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a scenario not witnessed in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the opening phase of the race like seasoned professionals, leaving the rest of Manchester’s footballing landscape in their wake.
Greenwood has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” In a pre‑match chat at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach the season with a fresh mindset. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she admitted.
“This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, so I truly enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season was marked by personal milestones as well. Greenwood got engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, even attempting to cancel their original celebration plans on the day of the proposal because she wasn’t in the mood to go out.
Jack, however, had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps, turning the evening into a memorable event. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never fully switching off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. “I’m not the type of person who can completely turn it all off,” she said.
“I’m thinking about the team most of the time. I reflect a lot. I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch. Luckily, our dressing‑room environment is open and supportive, so I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Reflecting on last season brings back fond memories.
City dominated the league from early November, ultimately clinching their first title in a decade. Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was freer and more inventive, unburdened by rigid expectations.
The team reinvented itself game after game, leaving opponents uncertain of what to expect. Even on nights when performances were modest, the side usually managed to secure the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted, “People often ask about the pressure moments from last season.
We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control. That control helped our preparation. We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits.
The manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz emphasizes a culture of never being satisfied, demanding meticulous improvement in every detail.
Greenwood added, “He’s very open to challenge. He invites it.
He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s a competitive league, and teams have strengthened a lot this summer. We remind each other we’re winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the quality of the opposition.” Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
They have developed multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the era when a single poor result would raise doubts about their mental toughness is behind them. The new challenge is to maintain these standards across all competitions, especially with the added pressure of European fixtures. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League games from her living room. “Do you know how hard it is to watch those matches and not be involved?” These concerns reach far beyond preseason talk.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a schedule of three games a week?
Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on every front? “We weren’t there last year, and we have to use that feeling to our advantage,” Greenwood insisted.
“We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now possess the tools needed to stay at the summit: a brand‑new £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, and a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football. And of course, there’s Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already off to a flying start. In a season where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s determination to win appears stronger than ever.
They are not content with being one‑off winners; they aim to be recognized as true champions, a status they have worked tirelessly to achieve.