Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. 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 victory and sustained dominance underpins the team’s approach as they launch the new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as concrete proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a mere winner from a genuine champion.
Achieving champion status is not a single moment; it is a continuous process that requires backing up early successes with relentless consistency. After the opening two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally – a situation that has not been seen in the Women's Super League since 2015. The defending champions have seized the initiative, taking the baton and attacking the early stages of the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners, leaving the rest of Manchester’s football scene far behind. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of 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 mantra: “We always find a way.” In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be framed differently this time around. When asked whether being title‑holders made her complacent, Greenwood replied, “I needed a mental switch‑off. 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 a break that long, so I definitely enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season was not only about rest. Greenwood also got engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment she almost tried to dodge.
“Honestly, on the day of the proposal I tried to cancel our plans,” she laughed. “I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant.
He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “tabs open,” juggling her own high standards with the expectations of the squad – a never‑ending homework assignment that can be exhausting. “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 authority to make big calls.” 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 and more inventive, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than weighed down by pressure. Reinvention happened across the pitch – from individual players to collective tactics – making opponents uncertain about what to expect. Even on days when the performance was modest, the team almost always secured the result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted, “I get asked a lot about pressure, and certain results created pressure moments last season.
We don’t enjoy losing. 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.” City now possess a brand of tenacity that felt missing in previous title chases.
The squad did not need a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded big outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as “never being satisfied,” an unrelenting drive to improve 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. The team has developed multiple solutions for most problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip are now behind them.
The new challenge is to maintain those high standards across all competitions, especially as they re‑enter European play. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood said, expressing frustration at having to watch last season’s Champions League from her living room.
“Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?” These questions reach far beyond pre‑season banter. How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a rhythm 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. We cannot waste our opportunity,” Greenwood asserted. After a decade of chasing the elusive formula for WSL success, City now have all the pieces in place: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training facility, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a flood of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and the emerging star Bunny Shaw, already the PFA Player of the Year. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s will to win appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognised as champions, season after season.
Watch Manchester City versus Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm (kick‑off 7 pm).