Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a sentiment voiced loudly by captain Alex Greenwood during the pre‑season. She remarked, “A true champion is someone who goes and wins again. A winner might be a one‑off, but a champion repeats the feat over and over.” This distinction between a fleeting victor and a sustained champion underpins the team’s early approach to the new campaign.
Starting the season with two consecutive wins – a feat no other side has managed so far – serves as a practical illustration of Greenwood’s philosophy. It signals that the squad is not merely content with occasional triumphs; they are intent on building a continuous record of success.
In fact, they are the only team this term to sit atop the table after the opening two rounds, a scenario that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions appear ready to lead the pack, seizing the early momentum with the professionalism of a side that knows how to carry a baton and sprint ahead. Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under manager Andrée Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City outfit lies in how each individual component blends seamlessly into a cohesive whole, guided by a single mantra: “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 upcoming season would be different.
She dismissed the notion that being title‑holders automatically grants an advantage, insisting instead on a mental reset. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” she said. “This summer I had freedom, no schedule, and that’s 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 summer off‑season was marked by personal milestones as well.
Greenwood became engaged to her long‑term partner Jack, a moment that almost slipped away when she tried to cancel their plans on the night of the proposal. “I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but Jack had already paid a hefty deposit on the restaurant,” she laughed. “He kept it cool, didn’t give anything away, and it turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break 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 her teammates.
She likened it to an endless homework assignment that demands continual attention. "I’m not the kind of person to turn it all off; I’m on most 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 the squad. City dominated the league from early November, ultimately securing their first title in a decade.
The football they produced was freer and more inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it. Reinvention was evident across the pitch, 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 City displayed. Even on days when the performance seemed modest, the team usually managed to secure the desired result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood admitted that certain outcomes from the previous season had heightened expectations. "We don’t enjoy losing, but in reality we were in control.
That helps with preparation and everything else. We had setbacks but also a safety net.
That is what we do – we always find a way," she said. City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits.
The manager has not overhauled the squad but introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as a relentless quest for improvement, never settling for the status quo. Greenwood echoed this, noting the manager’s openness 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, and that fuels us to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the level of opposition we face." Momentum is firmly on City’s side. They have developed multiple solutions for a range of tactical problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single poor result are largely behind them. The new challenge is to sustain these high standards across every competition, especially as they re‑enter European contests.
"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 involved?" These concerns reach far beyond pre‑season speculation. The key questions now are: How will City manage the increased workload?
Can they adapt to a relentless schedule of three games per week? Does the squad have enough depth and quality to compete on all fronts? "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 striving to unlock the formula for WSL success, City now possess the tools needed to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training facility, an inspirational manager with ambitious targets, a pipeline of talent ready for top‑flight football, and a superb captain in Greenwood. Adding to that is the emergence of Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, who has already made a strong start.
In a league where consistency has already hampered the biggest challengers, Manchester City’s resolve to win appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have worked too hard to be labeled merely winners. Their ambition is to be recognised as champions – a status earned through sustained excellence, not fleeting glory.