Maresca's Manchester City Debut: No 'Copy and Paste' Coach
Enzo Maresca has vowed not to be a 'copy and paste' coach as he takes over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He promises to bring his own identity to the team, despite the similarities with his predecessor's style.
What happened?
Maresca addressed the media for the first time since taking charge of Manchester City on Friday. He insisted he has his own identity despite the parallels drawn between his style of coaching and that of predecessor Pep Guardiola.
Why it matters for Manchester City
Maresca has the near-impossible task of following Guardiola, whose record-breaking spell at the Etihad contained six Premier League titles - including an unprecedented four in a row - and a first Champions League medal. But Maresca insists he has not joined City solely to emulate the Spaniard's success.
What comes next?
The Italian has the task of preparing the team for the upcoming season, which starts with a game against Bournemouth on August 23. He has also promised to do 'my job, in the way I want', despite accepting the similarities between his preferred playing style and that of his predecessor.
Maresca is returning for his third stint at the club, where he held a role as an academy coach before then graduating to Guardiola's assistant in 2022-23 - the season City won the treble. He has spoken with Pep a lot since he decided to leave the club and has vowed not to be a 'copy and paste' coach.
Measured Maresca confident of succeeding where others have failed
Maresca wants to make his own impression, independent even of the impact he made in prior spells, but understands the pressure and demand to deliver trophies at City is no less relentless. He has also promised to focus on the day-to-day aspects of the job, preparing sessions and spending time with his players.
The 46-year-old is returning for his third stint at the club, where he held a role as an academy coach before then graduating to Guardiola's assistant in 2022-23 - the season City won the treble. He has spoken with Pep a lot since he decided to leave the club and has vowed not to be a 'copy and paste' coach.
Maresca has also promised to do 'my job, in the way I want', despite accepting the similarities between his preferred playing style and that of his predecessor. He has also spoken about the pressure and demand to deliver trophies at City, saying 'with this kind of club, you need to win titles'.
Next fixture
Manchester City's next fixture is against Chelsea at home on December 12. The team is currently 7 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table.
Currently sidelined
Rodri is currently sidelined due to injury.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 2nd in Premier League, 78 pts, 23W-9D-6L from 38 games, recent form LDWWD. Goals this season: 77 scored, 35 conceded (+42 goal difference). Title race: 7 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 1W-2D-2L (LLDDW, most recent first); lost the last 2.
