Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, and captain Alex Greenwood made that clear during pre‑season. She said, “A true champion is someone who goes out and wins again. A winner might achieve a one‑off success, but a champion repeats it over and over.” Starting the new campaign with two consecutive victories – a feat no other side has managed so far – underlines Greenwood’s view that there is a fundamental difference between merely winning and truly championing. To be a champion, a club must consistently back up its achievements, turning isolated triumphs into a sustained pattern of excellence.
After the first two rounds of matches this season, only one team sits on a perfect points tally, a situation that has not occurred in the Women’s Super League since 2015. The defending champions have already positioned themselves as the team to beat, seizing the early lead in the title race with the professionalism of seasoned campaigners. In doing so, they have left the rest of Manchester’s football scene, particularly the city’s red‑shirted rivals, trailing in their wake.
Greenwood herself has become a model of reliability under the guidance of manager Andrée Jeglertz. The beauty of this Manchester City side lies in how every individual component blends into a cohesive whole, driven by a single mantra: “We always find a way.” During a conversation at the club’s training base, just before the first ball was struck, the 32‑year‑old captain explained that her mindset for the season would be approached differently this time around. She dismissed any notion that the team would become complacent simply because they are the reigning champions. “I needed a mental switch‑off,” Greenwood said.
“This summer I had total freedom, no set schedule, and that’s why I feel so refreshed now. I can’t remember the last time I had such a long break, and I really enjoyed it.” Her summer off‑season brought several personal milestones, most notably her engagement to long‑time partner Jack.
She recounted how she almost cancelled their celebration plans on the day of the proposal, not knowing what was about to happen. “If I’m being completely honest, on the day I tried to cancel our plans,” she laughed, “I wasn’t really 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 the evening turned out to be amazing.” Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the break as a “necessary reset.” As captain, she constantly has “multiple tabs open,” meaning she never fully disconnects from the high standards she sets for herself and the squad. It’s a relentless mental workload, akin to an endless homework assignment. “I’m not the type of person who can 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. I’m lucky, though – the dressing‑room environment is close‑knit and open, so I can speak freely. I’m not the only one who makes big decisions.” Looking back at last season should evoke fond memories for anyone who followed City’s journey.
They were the dominant force, leading the WSL from early November and clinching their first league title in a decade. The football they played was liberated and inventive, shaped by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it.
Reinvention was evident across the pitch, from player to player and match to match. Opponents often entered games uncertain of what to expect, unable to predict City’s ever‑evolving patterns. Even on days when the performance was not spectacular, the team usually managed to secure the desired result.
When asked about pressure, Greenwood explained that certain results from the previous season created pressure moments, but the team’s control over games helped mitigate that stress. “We don’t enjoy losing,” she said, “but we were in control, which aids preparation. We faced setbacks, yet we always had a safety net. That’s why we always find a way.” City now possess a brand of resilience that seemed missing in earlier title chases, despite coming close.
The squad did not require a wholesale overhaul; instead, Jeglertz introduced subtle tweaks that yielded significant outcomes. He describes the approach as “never being satisfied,” an insatiable drive to improve every detail. “He’s very open to challenge,” Greenwood added.
“He invites it. He wants us to challenge him and each other. It’s a fiercely competitive league. Teams have strengthened a lot this summer, and I love that.
We remind each other that we are winners, and that fuels our desire to stay that way. We also have huge respect for the quality of the opposition we face.” Manchester City carry momentum into the new season. They have devised multiple solutions for a wide range of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after a single poor result are behind them. The new challenge is to maintain those high standards across every competition, especially as they juggle domestic fixtures with European commitments.
“I live for European nights,” Greenwood said, 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.
How will City manage the increased workload? Can they sustain a rhythm of three games a 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,” Greenwood asserted. “We cannot waste this opportunity.” After a decade of searching for the formula to become WSL champions, City now possess everything needed to stay at the summit: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with ambitious goals, a steady influx of talent ready for top‑flight football, a superb captain, and star forward Bunny Shaw, the PFA Player of the Year, already off to a flying start.
In a league where consistency has already hampered their biggest rivals, City’s determination 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 aim is to be recognised as genuine champions.
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