Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message that was amplified during pre‑season by captain Alex Greenwood. 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 a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins the club’s early momentum.
Starting the new campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a genuine champion. Achieving champion status is not a single event; it is a continual process that can only be completed by repeatedly confirming what has already been achieved. After the first two rounds of matches, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points haul, something that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the team to beat, seizing the initiative in the opening leg of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals.
Their dominance has left the rest of Manchester, particularly the city’s red‑shirted rivals, scrambling in their wake. Greenwood herself has become a model of consistency under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends into a cohesive whole, unified by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach this season with a fresh mindset. "Because we’re title holders, I could have been complacent," she admitted, "but that’s not the case.
I needed a mental switch‑off." She went on to describe a summer of freedom with no set schedule, a rare break that left her feeling rejuvenated. "I can’t remember the last time I had such a long period off, and I definitely enjoyed it," Greenwood said. That period of rest also brought significant personal milestones.
She became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment that almost didn’t happen because she tried to cancel their plans on the night of the proposal. "I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant," she laughed. "He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the summer as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly has "tabs open" – a metaphor for the endless responsibilities and high standards she holds for herself and the squad.
"I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off completely," she explained. "I reflect a lot, and a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. Luckily, our dressing‑room is close‑knit and open, so we can speak freely.
I’m not the only one making big decisions." Reflecting on the previous season evokes proud memories. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately securing their first title in a decade. The football was liberated and inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by pressure.
Throughout the campaign, the team reinvented itself game after game, leaving opponents uncertain about what to expect. Even on days when performances were modest, the squad almost always secured the necessary results. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from last season created high‑stakes moments, but the team remained in control. "We don’t enjoy losing, yet we knew we were in charge of our destiny.
That awareness helped our preparation and gave us a safety net when setbacks occurred. It’s why we always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title pursuits. The changes implemented by Jeglertz were subtle yet impactful, reflecting an ethos of never being satisfied. Greenwood highlighted the manager’s openness to challenge: "He invites us to challenge him and each other.
The league is highly competitive, and many teams have strengthened this summer. We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top. We also have huge respect for the quality of our opposition." Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
The squad has developed multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are gone. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League matches from her living room.
"It’s hard to watch those games and not be part of them." These considerations reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City manage the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week?
Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on all fronts? "We weren’t there last year, and we must use that feeling to our advantage," Greenwood asserted. "We cannot waste this opportunity." After a decade of chasing the formula for WSL success, City now have the tools to stay at the summit: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for the league, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already making an impact.
In a season where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s determination appears stronger than ever. They are not content with being a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognized as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless effort and unwavering belief.