Enzo Maresca, in his first news conference as Manchester City manager, addressed the futures of several key players and acknowledged the significant challenge of succeeding Pep Guardiola. Maresca, who took over last month, described managing the club as a “privilege.”
During the conference, Maresca confirmed that Rodri is scheduled for back surgery next week. Rodri, who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, will return to the squad after his recovery period. Maresca noted that speculation often surrounds top players, especially after Rodri’s performance in the World Cup, where he was considered one of the best players.
Maresca also commented on the situations of Jack Grealish and James Trafford. Grealish has returned to City following a loan spell at Everton last season. Maresca stated that Grealish is currently a Manchester City player and that it is his duty to coach players who belong to the club. He added that the transfer window, which is open, means anything can happen regarding player movements.
Regarding Trafford, the second-choice goalkeeper, Maresca mentioned that he knows him from his time coaching the City Under-23s. Trafford is reportedly of interest to Leeds. Similar to Grealish, Maresca indicated that Trafford is currently one of City’s keepers, but the transfer window could bring changes.
Succeeding a Legendary Manager
Maresca openly discussed the difficulty of following a manager like Guardiola, who secured 17 major trophies during his decade-long tenure, establishing himself as the club’s most successful manager. Maresca pointed to historical examples where clubs struggled after long-serving managers departed, citing Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal after Arsène Wenger.
He acknowledged that managers who have spent many years at the same club often present a challenge for their successors. Despite this, Maresca expressed confidence in his ability to do a great job, attributing this to City’s organisational structure. He highlighted that the club has had only three managers in 17 years—Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini, and Roberto Mancini—which he described as an unusual and positive stability.
Maresca believes this stable environment provides him with the best opportunity for success. He aims to continue the work that has been ongoing since Mancini’s time, through Pellegrini’s tenure, and for the 10 years under Guardiola.
Philosophy and Pre-Season Preparations
Maresca outlined his football philosophy, which he stated was clear at his previous clubs, Leicester and Chelsea. He believes his approach aligns with the concepts of the previous manager, focusing on being aggressive off the ball, controlling the game, and imposing the team’s ideas to ultimately win matches. He led Leicester to the Championship title in 2023/24 and guided Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup between 2024 and 2025.
This marks Maresca’s third stint at Manchester City, having previously coached the Elite Development Squad and served as part of Guardiola’s backroom staff in 2022/23. His appointment as the men’s boss in June involved signing a three-year contract.
Pre-season preparations for City began earlier this week, with staff and players returning to the City Football Academy. However, due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, not all players have joined the squad yet, as those involved in the tournament have been given extended rest. Maresca noted that the final group of players is expected to join the team three or four days before the Community Shield final.
Despite the incomplete squad, Maresca has been pleased with the progress observed, particularly with several Academy players stepping up to the senior team. He also paid tribute to former City manager Kevin Keegan, who passed away earlier this week.
Source: bbc.co.uk