Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message delivered by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She emphasized a clear distinction between a one‑off winner and a true champion, stating, “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 philosophy underpins the team’s approach as they embark on a new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive victories—an achievement no other side has managed so far—offers tangible proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a substantial gap between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting champion’s pedigree. To become a champion, a club must consistently back up early successes with further triumphs, turning isolated victories into a sustained pattern of excellence. After the first two rounds of fixtures, Manchester City sit alone at the summit of the Women’s Super League, a position they have not held since 2015. Their early dominance suggests they are the team to beat, taking the initiative in the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners.
In doing so, they have left their local rivals in Manchester’s red half trailing far behind. Greenwood herself has emerged as a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andree Jeglertz. The true strength of this City side lies in the way each individual component contributes to a cohesive whole, bound by a single guiding principle: “We always find a way.” This mantra reflects the collective mindset that the squad has cultivated throughout the pre‑season and into the early stages of the league.
During a conversation at the club’s training base, before any ball was even kicked, the 32‑year‑old captain explained how she intends to approach the season differently this time around. She dismissed any notion that simply holding the title would allow them to rest on their laurels. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she admitted. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that is why I feel so fresh now.
I can’t remember the last time I got that long off, so I definitely enjoyed it.” The summer break proved transformative for Greenwood in more ways than one. She became engaged to her long‑term partner, Jack, a milestone that added a personal highlight to her time away from football. She recalled the night of the proposal with a smile, noting that she initially tried to cancel their plans, not feeling in the mood for a celebration.
Jack, however, had already secured a substantial deposit on a restaurant, keeping the surprise under wraps and delivering a memorable evening. Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the off‑season as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never truly able to switch off from the high standards she sets for herself and the team.
She likened it to an endless homework assignment, always with "tabs open" in her mind. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off," she said. "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." Reflecting on last season, Greenwood highlighted how City dominated the league from early November, securing their first title in a decade.
Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was freer and more inventive, allowing players to express themselves without feeling burdened by rigid tactics. This season‑long reinvention manifested across the pitch, with each player adapting and evolving their game, making it difficult for opponents to predict City’s ever‑shifting patterns of play. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that while the team does not relish losing, they were largely in control of their outcomes last season.
"That helps with your preparation, with everything really. We had setbacks but we also had a safety net. That is what we do, always find a way," she explained. This resilience has given City a new edge—a subtle yet unmistakable nastiness that was missing in previous title runs.
The manager’s tweaks, though not dramatic, have produced significant results, and Jeglertz’s relentless pursuit of perfection ensures the squad never becomes complacent. Greenwood praised Jeglertz’s openness to challenge, stating, “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.” This mutual respect fuels the team’s ambition to stay ahead of the rapidly improving competition. Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
They have developed multiple solutions for a wide range of tactical problems, and the days when a single poor result would raise doubts about their mental toughness are largely behind them. The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, 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 rather than being on the pitch. The prospect of competing on Europe’s biggest stage adds another layer of motivation for the squad.
These considerations raise broader questions about how City will manage the increased workload. Can they sustain a rhythm of three games per week without compromising quality?
Does the squad possess sufficient depth and quality to compete on every front? Greenwood believes the answer lies in learning from the previous season’s shortcomings. “We weren’t there last year and we have to use that feeling to our advantage.
We cannot waste our opportunity,” she asserted. Over the past decade, City have invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to become a lasting WSL powerhouse. A £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with clear targets, a steady influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who embodies the club’s ethos all combine to create a winning environment.
Adding to this mix is the emergence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, whose performances have already set a high bar. In a league where consistency has already begun to differentiate the frontrunners from the rest, Manchester 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 mere winners. Their aim is to cement themselves as genuine champions, a goal that will require relentless focus, depth, and the ability to adapt to the evolving challenges of both domestic and European football. Fans can catch the upcoming clash between Manchester City and Liverpool on Sky Sports+ this Friday, with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm.
The match promises to be a showcase of the team’s early-season form and a test of whether their champion mindset can translate into sustained success throughout the campaign.