Manchester City have already begun to lay down a daunting foundation for the new season, a sentiment echoed early on by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season preparations. She warned, “A true champion is someone who goes and wins again.
A winner might be one‑off, but a champion does it over and over.” This distinction between fleeting success and sustained dominance underpins the team’s mindset as they launch the campaign. Starting the league with two consecutive victories—something no other side has managed so far—serves as a clear illustration of Greenwood’s belief that being a winner and being a champion are not interchangeable concepts.
A champion, she argues, is forged through a continual process of improvement, consistently building on past achievements rather than resting on a single triumph. After the first two rounds of fixtures, Manchester City sit alone at the summit with a perfect points tally, a feat not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the initiative, treating the opening leg of the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. Their early dominance has already left their Manchester rivals in the dust and set a tone that suggests they intend to dictate the narrative rather than simply react to it.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The beauty of this City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single, unifying principle: “We always find a way.” In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her approach to the season would be framed differently this time around.
She dismissed any notion that the title‑defending status would lead to complacency, insisting that a mental reset was essential. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood said. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s why I feel so fresh now. I can’t remember the last time I got such a long break, so I definitely enjoyed it.” The summer hiatus proved transformative for Greenwood beyond the pitch.
She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a milestone that added a personal layer of happiness to her professional focus. She recounted a humorous anecdote about trying to cancel their engagement dinner plans, only for Jack to reveal a hefty restaurant deposit and turn the evening into a memorable surprise. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, feeling the weight of high personal standards and the expectations of the squad. She likened the role to an endless homework assignment that never truly ends.
“I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off,” she admitted. “I’m on the majority of the time. I reflect a lot. I needed a break, because a captain has a huge role off the pitch.
But I’m lucky with the dressing room we have—it’s an open environment to speak. I’m not the only one with the authority to make big calls.” Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for the Manchester City faithful. The team dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first WSL title in a decade.
Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was freer and more inventive, allowing players to express themselves without feeling shackled by rigid tactics. The squad reinvented itself throughout the campaign, with each player and each match offering fresh variations that left opponents uncertain about what to expect.
Even on nights when the performance was not spectacular, City still managed to secure the three points, a testament to their resilience and depth. Greenwood acknowledged the pressure that comes with success, noting that certain results from the previous season created high‑stakes moments.
“We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “but in reality we were in control. That helps with preparation, with everything really. We had setbacks but we also had a safety net.
That is what we do—always find a way.” This season, City possess an edge that felt missing in earlier title bids: a subtle yet potent brand of tenacity. The manager has introduced nuanced adjustments that have yielded significant outcomes.
Jeglertz’s mantra of “never being satisfied” drives an unrelenting pursuit of improvement, demanding attention to even the smallest details. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added. “He invites it.
He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s such a competitive league. Teams have strengthened so much this summer, I love it. We remind each other we are winners, that fuels us to want to remain that.
But we have huge respect for the level of opposition we face.” Manchester City now ride a wave of momentum. They have cultivated multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems, and the era when a single poor result could cast doubt on their mental fortitude appears to be behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with a demanding European schedule. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room.
“Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?” Her words highlight the hunger within the squad to prove themselves on the continental stage. These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season banter.
Questions loom: How will City handle the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week without fatigue? Does the squad have sufficient 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 our opportunity.” Over the past decade, the club has invested heavily in unlocking the formula for WSL success. A state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, and a steady influx of talent ready for top‑flight football have all been assembled.
And, of course, there’s the ever‑dynamic Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season with a bang. In a league where consistency has already begun to expose the frailties of their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever.
They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled mere winners. Their aim is to be recognized as true champions—those who can sustain excellence season after season. Fans can catch Manchester City’s opening clash against Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
(the broadcast begins at 6.30 p.m.). Additionally, a Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with free entry for participants.