Manchester City have announced their ambitions with a startling clarity early in the season, a message delivered by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season period. She said, "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 victor and a sustained champion underpins the tone of the squad as they embark on a new campaign. The team’s opening two fixtures have been victories, making them the only side in the league to start with back‑to‑back wins. Such a start is a tangible illustration of Greenwood's belief that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning a match and building the kind of legacy that defines a champion.
A champion, she argues, is forged through a process that demands consistent performance, relentless improvement, and the ability to back up early success with sustained excellence. After the first two rounds of matches, City sit alone atop the table with the maximum points possible – a feat that has not been achieved at the top of the Women's Super League (WSL) since 2015. The reigning champions are already positioning themselves as the team to beat, seizing the momentum of the season’s opening leg with the poise of seasoned professionals.
Their early dominance has left their Manchester rivals in the dust and signaled that the title defence will be fiercely contested. Greenwood has emerged as a pillar of stability under head coach Andree Jeglertz.
The beauty of Manchester City’s squad lies in how each individual component contributes to a cohesive whole, unified by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." This mantra reflects a collective mindset that transcends individual talent, emphasizing adaptability, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of solutions regardless of the obstacles encountered. In a candid conversation at the club’s training base, Greenwood explained that her mental approach to the new season would differ from the previous one. She dismissed the notion that being title holders automatically grants an advantage, noting instead that she needed to "switch off" mentally during the summer. "I had the freedom of an unstructured schedule, and that gave me a fresh perspective," she said.
"I can’t recall the last time I had such an extended break, and I truly enjoyed it." The summer break proved transformative for Greenwood beyond the pitch. She became engaged to her long‑time partner Jack, a milestone that added a personal layer of joy to her professional preparations. She recalled the evening of the proposal with humor, admitting she initially tried to cancel the plans because she wasn’t in the mood to go out. Jack, however, had already secured a hefty deposit on a restaurant, keeping the surprise under wraps.
"He handled it very cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing," she smiled. Greenwood described the off‑season as a "necessary reset".
As captain, she carries the weight of constant responsibility, always keeping multiple "tabs open" in her mind – from her own high standards to the expectations of the entire squad. She likened this mental load to an endless homework assignment that never truly ends. "I’m not the type to turn everything off completely," she admitted. "I spend most of my time reflecting.
I needed a break because a captain has a huge role off the pitch as well. Fortunately, we have a close‑knit dressing room where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. I’m not the only one making big decisions." Reflecting on last season, Greenwood recalled the sense of dominance City displayed.
The team had been the clear WSL leaders from early November and secured their first league title in a decade. Their style of play was freer and more inventive, driven by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. The squad reinvented itself continuously – player to player, match to match – leaving opponents uncertain about what to expect. Even on days when performances were not spectacular, the team still managed to secure the necessary results.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain results from the previous season had created high‑pressure moments, but the team’s control over games helped mitigate that stress. "We don’t enjoy losing, but we were in control most of the time," she explained. "That control aids our preparation and gives us a safety net. When setbacks occur, we always find a way to respond." City now possess a brand of tenacity that seemed missing in earlier title runs.
The changes implemented by the manager were subtle yet impactful. Jeglertz described his approach as "never being satisfied", an insatiable drive to fine‑tune every detail.
Greenwood added, "He welcomes challenges. He wants us to challenge him and each other. The league is incredibly 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.
We also have immense respect for the quality of opposition we face." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. The squad has developed multiple solutions for a variety of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated poor result are largely behind them.
The new challenge lies in maintaining these high standards across all competitions, especially as they compete in Europe. Greenwood expressed her enthusiasm for European nights, lamenting the frustration of watching last season’s Champions League matches from her living room. "It’s hard to watch those games and not be part of them," she said. These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season speculation.
Questions arise about how City will manage the increased workload, the rhythm of three games a week, and whether the squad depth is sufficient 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 asserted. 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 facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑level football, and a captain who embodies leadership. Adding to the mix is Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already made an explosive start to the season.
In a league where consistency has already hampered City’s biggest rivals, Manchester City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They are determined not to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to settle for merely being winners.
Their aim is to be recognized as true champions – a status earned through relentless effort, strategic evolution, and an unwavering belief that they will always find a way to succeed. Watch Manchester City take on Liverpool live on Sky Sports+ this Friday at 6:30 pm (kick‑off at 7:00 pm).