Enzo Maresca has described succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City as a “wonderful challenge” and insisted he is not worried about speculation over Rodri’s future, as he began his reign with a wide-ranging first press conference.
The Italian was officially unveiled as City’s new head coach after being chosen to follow Guardiola, who delivered an era of unprecedented success at the Etihad Stadium. Maresca arrives on the back of a trophy-laden spell in England, having guided Leicester City to the 2023-24 Championship title before winning both the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea between 2024 and 2025.
This is Maresca’s third spell at City, having previously coached the club’s Elite Development Squad and then served as one of Guardiola’s assistants in the 2022-23 season. He said that familiarity with the club’s structure was decisive in his decision to return.
“I know the institution very well, and I’ve known the people inside the club for years,” he said. “The stability here, with only three managers in almost twenty years, shows the strength of the structure and the belief in giving projects time. From the moment Manchester City contacted me, I had no doubts about accepting the challenge.”
Tribute to Kevin Keegan and feeling ‘back home’
Maresca opened his first media appearance with a personal message to the family of former City manager Kevin Keegan, before reflecting on his own return to Manchester.
“Before we start, I’d like to send a message and a big hug to Kevin Keegan’s family at this moment,” he said. “I feel like I’m back home. I’ve felt fantastic from the first day and I’m very happy to be here.”
He stressed that the club’s long-term planning, from Roberto Mancini through Manuel Pellegrini to Guardiola, underpins his confidence that City can continue to compete for major honours.
“The institution is the most important thing,” Maresca said. “This club has had only three managers in about 17 years, which is very rare. That gives me belief we can keep building on what started with Roberto Mancini, then Manuel Pellegrini and finally Pep Guardiola.”
‘Privilege’ to follow Guardiola
Maresca acknowledged the scale of the task in replacing Guardiola, who is widely regarded as one of the game’s most influential coaches.
“First of all, it’s a huge privilege to be chosen by this club,” he said. “I’ve said many times that Pep is probably the best coach in the world over the last twenty or twenty-five years. At the same time, it’s a wonderful challenge.
“If you look at coaches who stayed many years at one club, like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, they all faced big challenges. My aim now is to do the right things from the beginning, for the club and for the fans.”
Maresca added that City’s interest in him was partly driven by stylistic similarities with his previous teams.
“I had a clear identity with Leicester and Chelsea, and maybe that was one of the reasons City chose me, because some of the ideas are similar to what the previous manager implemented,” he explained. “We always try to press aggressively when we lose the ball, control games and impose our style, with the main objective in football – to win matches.”
Rodri speculation ‘normal’ as midfielder prepares for surgery
Rodri’s future has been the subject of transfer talk this summer, but Maresca dismissed suggestions he could be on his way out.
“Top players are always surrounded by rumours, and that’s normal, especially after winning the World Cup and performing at such a high level,” he said. “Any coach in the world would like to have Rodri.
“But he will have surgery on Monday and he needs rest and recovery. After that, he will come back to us.”
Transfer plans and Chelsea statement
On the wider summer transfer window, Maresca suggested further business is likely but stressed it will be shaped by market conditions.
“There is always something you can do, because we are trying to achieve certain targets,” he said. “But it also depends on the dynamics of the transfer market. There are probably some things to complete, and we are already working on them.”
The Italian was also asked about the statement Chelsea released following his departure from Stamford Bridge, but he declined to be drawn into any dispute.
“I feel lucky to have worked at Leicester and Chelsea,” he said. “We achieved success and a clear identity at both clubs, and I’m grateful for those experiences. But my focus now is completely on Manchester City, and there is nothing more to add.”
Grealish, James Trafford and youth focus
Maresca underlined that Jack Grealish remains part of his plans, while leaving the door open to possible changes later in the window.
“Jack is here, he is a Manchester City player,” he said. “My position is always clear: as long as a player belongs to the club, it’s my duty to work with him. I have a good relationship with him because he has a big heart and a great personality, and we will see what happens later.”
He also spoke about goalkeeper James Trafford, who played under him at under-23 level.
“I know James very well – he was my goalkeeper when I coached the under-23s,” Maresca said. “The transfer window is open and anything can happen, we’ll see. But at the moment he is one of our goalkeepers.”
The City boss explained that the final group of senior players will report back only shortly before the season’s traditional curtain-raiser.
“The last group of players will join us three or four days before the Community Shield, and after that the full squad will be together,” he said.
Until then, he is working with a large contingent of academy players.
“I’m working with many young players and they have great energy,” he added. “Some of them are performing at a very high level and I’m happy with what I’m seeing.”
Tactical flexibility and evolving game
Maresca believes the rapid evolution of modern football means coaches must constantly adapt.
“Everything changes over time and you have to adapt,” he said. “There is development in playing styles, in set-pieces, in man-to-man defending. It’s our responsibility as coaches to find the right solutions.”
He also highlighted the importance of tactical flexibility, including the option of going long when required, especially with the players at his disposal.
“It can be one of the solutions,” he said. “Sometimes you need to play short, sometimes you need long balls, depending on what the opponent demands.
“Having a goalkeeper like Donnarumma and a striker like Haaland gives us a big advantage, but that will not be the only solution. We have to find different answers for different matches.”
