Manchester City have announced their intentions with a confidence that is both bold and unsettling, a sentiment first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She remarked, “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 victor and a lasting champion underpins the narrative that City are intent on proving themselves not just as the current title‑holders but as a dynasty in the making.
Kicking off the new campaign with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so early in the season – serves as a tangible illustration of Greenwood’s philosophy. The early points haul places Manchester City at the summit of the table after the opening two rounds, a position not seen since the 2015 campaign. The WSL champions have seized the initiative, treating the early phase of the race as a professional sprint, leaving their Manchester rivals in the rear‑view mirror.
Greenwood has become a cornerstone of consistency under manager Andree Jeglertz. The elegance of this City side lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “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 season would be approached from a fresh perspective, refusing to rest on the laurels of the previous title. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she said.
“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.” Her summer break was marked by a personal milestone – an engagement to long‑time partner Jack. Greenwood recounted the night of the proposal with a smile, admitting she almost cancelled their plans.
“Jack had paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant, kept it low‑key, and it turned out to be amazing,” she recalled. Beyond the romance, she described the hiatus 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.
“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 the authority to make big calls,” she explained. Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for Greenwood and her teammates.
City dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was characterised by freedom and inventiveness, guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. The team reinvented itself continuously – from player to player, match to match – leaving opponents unsure of what to expect.
Even on days when the performance seemed ordinary, the squad usually managed to secure the necessary result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results from the previous campaign created moments of heightened expectation.
“We don’t enjoy losing. In reality, we were in control. That helps with preparation, with everything. We had setbacks but also a safety net.
That is what we do – always find a way,” she said. The current squad possesses a subtle edge, a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits.
Jeglertz’s incremental adjustments have yielded significant outcomes, and Greenwood highlighted the manager’s relentless drive for improvement. “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,” she added.
Momentum is firmly on City’s side. The team has developed multiple solutions for a range of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single slip‑up appear to be behind them.
The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, particularly as they venture deeper into European contests. Greenwood confessed a personal frustration from the previous season: “I live for European nights. It’s hard watching those games from the living room when you’re not on the pitch.” This yearning underscores the club’s ambition to translate domestic dominance into continental success. The broader questions now revolve around how City will handle the increased workload.
Can they sustain a rhythm of three matches per week? Does the squad have sufficient depth and quality to compete on every front?
Greenwood believes the answer lies in learning from the previous year’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, Manchester City have invested heavily to unlock the formula for becoming a WSL powerhouse. The club now boasts a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of WSL‑ready talent, and a captain who embodies professionalism.
Adding to this arsenal is forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season with a bang. In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; the hard work they have put in is aimed at cementing their status as champions rather than mere winners. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how this blend of experience, fresh perspective, and relentless ambition translates into sustained success on both domestic and European stages.
Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6.30 pm (kick‑off at 7 pm).