Manchester City have announced their intentions with a confidence that borders on intimidation, and captain Alex Greenwood was the one to voice it during the pre‑season. “A true champion is someone who goes out and wins again.
A winner might be a one‑off. But a champion does it over and over,” she declared. Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning a match and establishing a lasting championship pedigree. To become a champion, according to her, is a journey that requires consistent reinforcement of past successes, not just isolated triumphs.
After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone at the summit with a perfect points tally, a scenario that has not been seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions appear to have seized the initiative, charging ahead in the opening leg of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals, while the rest of Manchester’s football scene is left trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how each individual component blends together to create a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” During a conversation at the club’s training base, just before the first ball was struck, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that she intends to approach the season with a fresh mindset. “Because we’re the title‑holders, I could have been complacent, but that’s not the case,” she said.
“I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood continued. “This summer I had the freedom of having no schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t recall the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it.” The summer break brought several personal milestones for Greenwood, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack.
She recounted how she initially tried to cancel their celebration plans on the night of the proposal, not realizing what was about to unfold. “If I’m being completely honest, on the day I tried to cancel the plans,” she laughed, “I wasn’t really in the mood to go out. Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept everything low‑key, and it turned out to be amazing.” 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 squad. She likened it to an endless homework assignment that never seems to end.
“I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off,” she admitted. “I’m involved most of the time, I reflect a lot.
I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. I’m fortunate to have a close‑knit dressing room; it’s an open environment where we can speak freely. I’m not the only one with the authority to make big decisions.” Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for the team. City dominated the league, taking the WSL lead as early as November and ultimately securing their first league crown in a decade.
The football they produced was freer and more inventive, driven by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident across the pitch, from player to player and match to match.
Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑shifting patterns of City’s play. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually found a way to secure the result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain outcomes from the previous season had created moments of heightened expectation.
“We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control for most of the season. That control helped us prepare for everything.
We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title pursuits.
The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes this approach as a relentless pursuit of improvement, an insatiable desire to refine every detail. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added. “He invites it.
He wants us to challenge him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive. Teams have strengthened massively this summer, and I love that. We constantly remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way.
At the same time, we have huge respect for the quality of our opposition.” Manchester City now ride a wave of momentum. They have cultivated multiple solutions for a variety of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are largely behind them.
The new challenge is to sustain these standards across all competitions, including the demanding European fixtures. “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 part of them?” These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season banter.
How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to a schedule that may see them playing three matches 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,” she said.
“We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now possess everything required to stay at the top: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty ambitions, a pipeline of talent ready for the league, and a captain who embodies leadership. And, of course, there’s 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 to win appears stronger than ever.
They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely as winners. Their goal is to be recognized as champions – repeatedly and without question.