Enzo Maresca says his Manchester City players deserve the credit after he became the first manager to win his opening seven Premier League matches in charge of a club.
Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Etihad Stadium preserved City’s perfect start to the campaign and gave Maresca a record-breaking beginning to his tenure.
Only Chelsea, managed by Jose Mourinho, in 2005-06 and Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp in 2019-20 have made longer winning starts to a Premier League season. Chelsea won their first nine matches, while Liverpool won their opening eight.
Both teams went on to win the title in those seasons, but Maresca was keen to focus on the way his own squad had responded to his methods.
City have also faced significant uncertainty away from the pitch after being found guilty of “systematically” breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period. Maresca acknowledged that such circumstances could have affected the players’ concentration.
Asked whether he was proud of his personal achievement, he said: “Absolutely, but I also understand we give credit to the players.
“They only need to be worried about people inside the club, and I give the credit to them. They are not worried about people who judge from outside, because those are people working to create problems.
“Inside, I promise the players are happy, they’re getting credit and I give the credit to them. It’s a matter of winning games in this business.
“We were able to win seven in a row and what made me very happy was working day-by-day with the players, the way I can see them improving.
“Today, I thought we controlled the game, created chances and were good off the ball. We are doing well, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Erling Haaland scored twice to secure the points, while Phil Foden put City ahead with his first Premier League goal since scoring against Crystal Palace in December 2025.
The goal ended Foden’s longest run without scoring in the competition, a 23-match drought. Maresca wants the midfielder to return to the level that earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award in 2023-24.
“With Phil, I have said it many times, I knew him from years ago, and for me, he’s one of the best Premier League players,” Maresca said.
“And since day one, it’s been my duty to help him to be one of the best players again.
“I’m very happy about his goal, and hopefully it can be just the beginning of many goals and good performances.”
Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil was encouraged by aspects of his side’s display, although the Tractor Boys created 1.66 expected goals compared with City’s 3.53.
“We did have a go. There are a few things we need to do better, then it’s fine margins in a game like that,” O’Neil said.
“I’m proud of the group. It’s not what we came for, and we thought we could take points, so we’re disappointed we haven’t.
“But the players gave everything. The second goal I’m not happy with, and then there were a few bits that were just fine margins.”
