Manchester City have announced their intentions far earlier than most of their competitors, a message first voiced by captain Alex Greenwood during pre‑season. She warned, "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 lies at the heart of City’s early season mindset.
Starting the campaign with two consecutive victories—something only City have managed so far—underscores Greenwood’s belief that there is a clear line separating a mere winner from a genuine champion. Achieving champion status, she argues, is a process that requires consistent reinforcement of past successes rather than a single flash of brilliance. After the first two rounds of fixtures, City sit alone atop the table with a perfect points tally, a feat not seen in the Women’s Super League since 2015.
The reigning champions have taken the lead in the title race with the poise of seasoned professionals, leaving their Manchester rivals in the dust and signalling that they intend to defend their crown with authority. Greenwood has been a model of reliability under manager Andree Jeglertz. The true beauty of this Manchester City side, however, lies in how each individual component blends into a cohesive whole, driven 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 approach to the new season would be framed differently because, contrary to expectations, she does not feel complacent simply because they are the defending champions. "I needed a mental switch‑off," she admitted.
"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." The break allowed her to reset mentally and physically, a luxury she rarely experiences given the constant demands of leadership. Her summer was also marked by a personal milestone: she became engaged to long‑time partner Jack.
The proposal itself was almost comical; Greenwood tried to cancel the evening’s plans, but Jack had already secured a hefty deposit on a restaurant and kept the surprise under wraps. "If I'm being really honest, the day of, I tried to cancel plans," she laughed. "I wasn't in the mood to go out.
But Jack told me he'd paid a heavy deposit on the restaurant. He played it very cool, didn't give much away, and it was amazing." Beyond the romance, Greenwood described the hiatus 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 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 said. Reflecting on last season evokes fond memories for Greenwood.
City dominated the league from early November, eventually clinching their first title in a decade. Their football was liberated, inventive, and guided by Jeglertz’s philosophy rather than constrained by it.
The team reinvented itself constantly—player to player, match to match—leaving opponents unsure of what to expect and how to counter their ever‑evolving patterns. Even on nights when the performance seemed ordinary, City almost always secured the result. When asked about pressure, Greenwood noted that certain outcomes from the previous campaign generated heightened expectations.
"We don't enjoy to lose. But in reality, we were in control.
That helps with your preparation, with everything really. We had setbacks but we also had a safety net. That is what we do, always find a way," she explained. City now possess a brand of resilience that felt missing in earlier title pursuits.
The manager has not overhauled the squad; instead, he has introduced subtle tweaks that have produced significant outcomes. Jeglertz describes his approach as "never being satisfied," an insatiable drive to refine every detail. Greenwood added, "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." Momentum is firmly on City’s side.
The team has devised multiple solutions for a range of problems, and the days when their mental toughness was questioned after an isolated slip are largely behind them. The new challenge is to sustain those high standards across all competitions, especially as they embark on a demanding European schedule. "I live for European nights," Greenwood confessed, recalling the frustration of watching last season’s Champions League from her living room. "Do you know how hard it is to watch those games and not be involved?" Her words hint at the ambition to not only dominate domestically but also to make a deep run on the continental stage.
These considerations extend far beyond pre‑season speculation. How will City manage the increased workload? Can they adapt to a relentless rhythm of three games per 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.
The club has spent a decade searching for the formula to become a lasting WSL powerhouse. Today they possess the tools: a state‑of‑the‑art £10 million training complex, an inspirational manager with lofty goals, a pipeline of talent ready for the top flight, a captain who leads by example, and stars like Bunny Shaw—PFA Player of the Year—already making an impact.
In a Women's Super League season where consistency has already hampered their biggest challengers, City’s resolve appears stronger than ever. They refuse to be a one‑hit wonder; they have labored too hard to be merely labeled winners.
Their aim is to be recognised as champions, season after season, and Greenwood’s early warning serves as a reminder to every rival that the battle for the title is far from over.