Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most would expect, and captain Alex Greenwood made that crystal clear during pre‑season. She warned, "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 winner and a sustained champion underpins the tone of City’s new campaign. Starting the season with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as a tangible proof of Greenwood’s belief that there is a profound difference between merely winning a match and building a legacy of repeated triumphs. To become a champion, a team must consistently reinforce its achievements, turning isolated successes into a continuous narrative of excellence. After the first two rounds of fixtures, only one club sits 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 already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the momentum and tackling the opening phase of the race with the composure and professionalism of a side that knows what it means to be the team to beat. In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust. Greenwood herself has emerged as a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way every individual component meshes into a cohesive whole, driven by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the new season would be approached differently than in previous years.
"Because we are title holders, I could have been complacent," she admitted, "but that’s not the case. I needed a mental switch‑off." She went on to describe a summer free from the rigours of a fixed schedule, a rare period of freedom that left her feeling refreshed and re‑energised. "I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I truly enjoyed it," Greenwood said.
That summer of rest also brought significant personal milestones. Greenwood became engaged to her long‑term partner, Jack, after a memorable proposal that almost didn’t happen. "On the day, I tried to cancel our plans because I wasn’t in the mood to go out," she laughed, recalling how Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on a restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps. The moment turned out to be "amazing," she added.
Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, never truly switching off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. "I’m not the type of person who can turn everything off," she explained. "I’m involved the majority of the time, reflecting constantly. A captain’s role extends far beyond the pitch, and I’m fortunate to have a close‑knit dressing‑room where we can speak openly.
I’m not the only one making big decisions; we share authority." Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for the Manchester City players. The team dominated the league from early November, ultimately clinching their first title in a decade. Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was liberated, inventive, and unburdened by rigid expectations. Reinvention was evident across the squad, with each player contributing to an ever‑evolving style that left opponents guessing and often unable to anticipate City’s next move.
Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the desired result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from the previous campaign generated heightened expectations. "We don’t like losing, but we were in control most of the time," she said.
"That control informs our preparation. We faced setbacks, but we also had a safety net – the belief that we always find a way." City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title pursuits. Rather than overhauling the squad, the manager introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes.
Jeglertz describes his approach as a relentless pursuit of improvement, an insatiable desire to fine‑tune every detail. Greenwood echoed this sentiment, highlighting the manager’s openness to challenge: "He invites us to challenge him and each other. The league is fiercely competitive, and many teams have strengthened over the summer.
We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay on top, while also respecting the quality of our opposition." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. The team has devised multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are largely behind them.
The new challenge lies in maintaining those high standards across all competitions, especially with the added pressure of 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 rather than being on the pitch. "It’s hard to sit there and not be involved," she added. These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season chatter.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three matches per week without compromising quality? Does the squad have sufficient depth to compete on every front?
Greenwood believes the experience of missing out last year can be turned into an advantage. "We cannot waste this opportunity," she warned.
"We have to use that feeling to our benefit." Over the past decade, City have invested heavily to unlock the formula for sustained success in the WSL. The club now boasts a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspiring manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a captain who leads by example.
Adding to that, forward Bunny Shaw – the PFA Player of the Year – has already begun the season in scintillating form. In a league where consistency has already hampered the biggest challengers, Manchester City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder but to cement their status as true champions.
Their early victories, strategic adjustments, and cohesive squad culture suggest they are well‑equipped to defend their title and continue writing the story of dominance in women’s football.