Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She remarked, “A true champion is someone who goes back and wins again. A winner might achieve a one‑off success, but a champion repeats it over and over.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – the only side to do so so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a stark difference between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting championship pedigree.
To become a champion, a club must consistently back up its achievements, turning isolated triumphs into a sustained pattern of excellence. Only one team now sits on maximum points after the opening two rounds of the league, a feat that has not been seen since 2015. The defending WSL champions appear to be the benchmark, seizing the momentum of the season’s first leg with the professionalism of a side that knows what it means to carry a title. Their rivals from the north‑west have already been left trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in the way each individual component blends together, creating a cohesive whole guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” During a conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball was even struck, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the new season would be approached from a fresh angle.
She dismissed any notion that being title‑holders would make her complacent. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she said. “This summer I had total freedom, no set schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I really enjoyed it.” Her summer hiatus brought several personal changes, most notably her engagement to long‑term partner Jack.
She recounted how she initially tried to cancel the evening plans for the proposal, only for Jack to keep the surprise under wraps and secure a hefty deposit on a restaurant, turning the night into an unforgettable memory. 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. It feels like an endless homework assignment that never truly ends. “I’m not the type to flip a switch and turn everything off,” she admitted.
“I’m involved most of the time, reflecting constantly. I needed that pause because a captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch. Fortunately, our dressing‑room environment is open and supportive, so I’m not the only one making big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke pride. City dominated the league, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first title in a decade.
The football they played was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident across the squad, with each player and each match offering something new. Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns City displayed.
Even on days when the performance seemed modest, the team usually managed to secure the result they needed. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain outcomes from the previous season created pressure moments, but the team remained in control.
“We don’t like losing,” she said, “but being in control helps our preparation. We had setbacks, yet 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 races. The manager has not overhauled the squad but has introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant results.
Jeglertz describes his approach as an unrelenting pursuit of improvement, never settling for anything less than perfection. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added. “He invites us to challenge him and each other.
The league is incredibly competitive; teams have strengthened enormously this summer, and I love that. We remind one another that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top. We also have immense respect for the quality of our opposition.” Manchester City enjoy a wave of momentum.
They have crafted multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip‑up are now behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining those high standards across every competition, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign. “I live for European nights,” Greenwood confessed, noting the frustration of watching last season’s Champions League matches from her living room rather than being on the pitch. “It’s hard to sit there and watch those games and not be involved.” These considerations reach far beyond pre‑season speculation.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a schedule of three games per week?
Does the squad have the 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 asserted. “We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of chasing the secret to sustained WSL success, City now possess the tools required to stay at the summit: a £10 million state‑of‑the‑art training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious goals, a influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, a capable captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already off to a flying start. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve 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 true champions, a status they intend to defend with every match they play.