Manchester City have announced their ambitions far earlier than most of their rivals, a sentiment echoed by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She remarked, "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 victory and sustained excellence underpins the tone of City’s new campaign. Kicking off the season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a simple winner from a genuine champion. To become a champion, she argues, is a process that requires relentless consistency and the ability to back up every achievement with the next one.
After the first two rounds of matches, only one team sits atop the table with a perfect points tally, a scenario that has not been seen since 2015. The defending WSL champions have already positioned themselves as the benchmark, seizing the momentum and attacking the opening leg of the race with the poise of seasoned professionals. In doing so, they have left their Manchester rivals in the dust.
Greenwood herself has been a model of steadiness under the guidance of manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side lies in the way every individual component blends together to form a cohesive whole, bound by a single guiding principle: "We always find a way." In a conversation at the club’s training base, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season will be framed differently this time around. She dismissed any notion that being title‑holders would make them complacent. "I needed a mental switch‑off," Greenwood 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 a break, so I definitely enjoyed it." Her words reveal a deliberate period of rest that allowed her to recharge both physically and mentally. The summer break also brought significant personal milestones. Greenwood became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment that was almost derailed by a last‑minute change of plans.
"If I’m being really honest, on the day I tried to cancel our plans," she laughed, "I wasn’t in the mood to go out. But Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant. He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the hiatus as a "necessary reset." As captain, she constantly juggles numerous responsibilities, keeping many "tabs open" and never fully switching off from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. She likened it to an endless homework assignment that demands constant attention.
"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 brings back memories of dominance. City led the WSL from early November and secured their first league title in a decade.
Under Jeglertz’s philosophy, the football was freer and more inventive, unburdened by rigid expectations. The team reinvented itself continuously, with each player and each match offering something fresh. Opponents often entered games unsure of what to expect, unable to predict the ever‑evolving patterns of City’s play.
Even on days when the performance was modest, the team usually managed to secure the needed result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain results inevitably create moments of tension. "We don’t enjoy losing, but in reality we were in control.
That helps with preparation and everything else. We had setbacks, but we also had a safety net. That is what we do – we always find a way," she said. City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in previous title chases.
The manager has not overhauled the squad but has introduced subtle tweaks that have produced significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as a perpetual dissatisfaction, an insatiable desire to improve every detail.
Greenwood echoed this sentiment, noting that Jeglertz welcomes challenges and encourages the squad to question both 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, and that fuels us to stay that way.
We also 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 problems, and the days when their mental toughness was doubted after an isolated poor result are now behind them. The new challenge is to maintain these high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European campaign.
"I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, expressing frustration at having watched last season’s Champions League matches from her living room rather than being on the pitch. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" These concerns raise questions that extend far beyond pre‑season banter.
How will City handle the increased workload? Can they adapt to a schedule that may see them playing three games 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. We cannot waste our opportunity," Greenwood asserted. After a decade of chasing the secret to becoming a WSL champion, City now have all the tools they need: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a fresh influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already started the season brightly.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their 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 be labelled merely winners. Their aim is to be recognized as true champions, a status they intend to defend with relentless effort and unwavering belief.