Manchester City have announced their intentions with unnerving confidence, a sentiment first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She remarked, "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 lasting champion underpins the tone of City’s early campaign. Starting the new season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – reinforces Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating simple success from sustained greatness. To become a champion, a club must repeatedly back up its achievements, turning isolated triumphs into a continuous narrative of excellence.
Only one team sits atop the table with a perfect record after the first two rounds of matches, a circumstance that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions appear to be the benchmark, seizing the momentum of 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, trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has been a model of consistency under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around.
She dismissed any notion that holding the title would lead to complacency. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she 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 that long a break, so I definitely enjoyed it." Greenwood’s summer hiatus brought several personal changes, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack.
She recounted how she almost cancelled their celebration plans on the day of the proposal, only for Jack to keep the surprise under wraps and secure a hefty restaurant deposit, turning the evening into a memorable moment. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly has "tabs open," unable to fully disconnect from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. She likened the responsibility to a never‑ending homework assignment, demanding constant reflection and leadership even off the pitch.
"I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off; 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 – we’re very close, it’s an open environment to speak. I’m not the only one with the authority to make big calls," she explained. Looking back at last season evokes fond memories.
City were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade. The football was freer, more inventive – shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention occurred across the pitch, with each player adapting to new roles and each game presenting fresh tactical puzzles. Opponents often entered matches uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns of play.
Even on days when performances were modest, the team usually managed to secure the needed result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from the previous campaign had heightened expectations.
"We don’t enjoy losing, but in reality we were in control. That helps with preparation. We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net.
That is what we do – always find a way," she said. City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits. The manager has introduced subtle tweaks that have yielded significant outcomes.
Jeglertz describes this as a relentless pursuit of improvement – an insatiable desire to refine every detail. Greenwood added, "He’s very open to challenge. 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." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. They have developed multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, moving beyond the days when a single poor result could cast doubt on their mental toughness. The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across every competition, especially as they re‑enter European contests.
"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?" The question underscores the broader implications for the club beyond pre‑season preparation. How will City handle the increased workload?
Can they sustain a three‑game‑a‑week rhythm? Does the squad have the depth and quality to compete on all fronts? "We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage. We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood asserted.
After a decade of chasing the secret to becoming WSL champions, the club now boasts a £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a flood of WSL‑ready talent, and a captain who embodies the team’s ethos. Adding to that is the emergence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who is already making an impact. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners.
Their ambition is to be recognized as true champions, a status earned through relentless effort, adaptability, and an unwavering belief that they will always find a way to succeed. Watch Manchester City vs Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday, kickoff at 7 pm.