Enzo Maresca finds himself at the epicenter of one of football’s most formidable challenges this summer: stepping into the colossal shoes of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Returning to the club where he served as an esteemed assistant during their historic Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, Maresca assumes the reins from a manager widely regarded as the preeminent tactician of his generation. Guardiola’s departure marked the end of an era, culminating in a staggering 17 major trophies over his tenure, including six Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League. As Maresca’s inaugural pre-season as the club’s permanent head coach nears its conclusion, he sat down with a select group of five UK-based media outlets in Seoul to candidly discuss the daunting, yet undeniably privileged, task ahead.
Navigating the Weight of Expectation
The sheer magnitude of Guardiola’s achievements casts a long shadow, and Maresca is acutely aware of the inevitable comparisons that will follow his every move. However, he appears unfazed by the prospect. "After 10 games, if we have got 10 points, 20 points, 30 points. People will be comparing it to Pep after 10 games, it doesn’t put pressure on me," Maresca stated, projecting an image of calm resolve. He acknowledged Guardiola’s unparalleled influence on the modern game, remarking, "I have said many times while I was at Leicester or Chelsea, he is the best manager in the world over the last 15 or 20 years."
Maresca elaborated on Guardiola’s transformative impact across different leagues, noting, "When he started in Spain, everyone wanted to play like Barcelona, he moved to Germany everyone wanted to play like Bayern [Munich], he comes to England and everyone wants to play like City." This pervasive influence underscores the benchmark Maresca is expected to meet, if not surpass. Despite the inherent difficulty, he views the opportunity with a sense of profound gratitude: "Someone asked me if it’s the impossible job to follow him – maybe, but at the same time it’s a privilege."
A Preemptive Consultation with the Master
In a move that highlights his respect for Guardiola’s legacy and his pragmatic approach to leadership, Maresca met with his predecessor in Barcelona just a day before officially signing his contract. This strategic meeting, Maresca explained, was "useful" for gleaning insights from a manager who had dedicated a decade to shaping Manchester City. "We spent some hours together," he revealed. "We had planned before the season finished here to spend some time in the summer holidays together."
While Maresca emphasized his own inclination to observe and form independent conclusions – "I like to go in empty sometimes to see things for myself" – he recognized the invaluable perspective Guardiola could offer. "But he was here so long, he has his opinions. But also you have to arrive and see things for yourself, see all the picture." This collaborative spirit, even in the transition of power, suggests a commitment to continuity while paving the way for his own tactical imprint.
Signaling a New Era: Subtle Shifts in the Citadel
To visually and symbolically demarcate the commencement of his tenure, Maresca has made a deliberate change within City’s state-of-the-art training complex. He has taken up residence in the office previously occupied by Pep Lijnders, the former assistant manager, positioning it adjacent to Guardiola’s vacated office, which has since been repurposed into a meeting room. This subtle yet significant alteration serves as a tangible signal to the players that a new chapter has begun under Maresca’s leadership.
The Intervening Six Months: Family, AI, and Reflection
Following his departure from Chelsea in mid-season, Maresca offered an apology for the "disruption" his exit caused. The intervening six months before his official appointment at City were dedicated to a blend of personal rejuvenation and intellectual exploration. "I tried to enjoy a little bit more [time] with the family," he shared, referring to his wife and four children.
Beyond family time, Maresca delved into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. "And everyone is talking about AI, so I want to understand how it works. So I did two masterclasses to understand it a little bit more and have more knowledge." This pursuit of knowledge in emerging technologies reflects a forward-thinking mindset, suggesting Maresca is keen to leverage all available tools for marginal gains in an increasingly data-driven sport. The integration of AI into football analytics is a growing trend, and Maresca’s proactive engagement indicates his commitment to staying at the forefront of tactical innovation.
Evolving Premier League Landscape: Set-Pieces and Defensive Strategies
Maresca also highlighted the significant evolution of the Premier League since his last stint as an assistant coach three years prior. He pinpointed two key areas of development: the increased emphasis on set-pieces and the widespread adoption of man-to-man defensive schemes. The data supports his observations; last season, Arsenal’s resurgence to claim their first top-flight title in over two decades was bolstered by an impressive 25 goals from set-pieces, including 19 from corners alone. This is an area Maresca has identified for potential improvement within his Manchester City squad.
In response to these tactical shifts and a broader desire to expedite the pace of play, new regulations have been introduced for the upcoming season. Notably, players will now have a strict five-second limit for goal-kicks and throw-ins, with possession automatically reverting to the opposition if this timeframe is exceeded. While some might lament the potential impact on the aesthetic of congested penalty areas and corner-kick battles, Maresca remains effusive about the league’s overall quality. He firmly believes it remains "the best league" with "the best players," attributing this to "the quality of the players, the quality of the managers, the organisation of the Premier League." He further posited, "It is completely different compared to other countries. Which league can compete with the Premier League? Spain? Barcelona, Real Madrid, yes, but then the rest is not the same. You have six teams here who are more or less there."
The Backroom Team: A Multilingual Tapestry
The composition of Maresca’s backroom staff is as diverse as it is experienced, reflecting a global approach to footballing expertise. The team includes Argentine goalkeeper coach Michele de Bernardin, whose performance Maresca lauded as "very good," and analyst Javi Molina, whose rendition of Frank Sinatra’s "My Way" was humorously described as "the worst" and "a disaster." The presence of two Italians, three Spaniards, and Maresca’s own ability to converse in French ensures a rich linguistic environment within the coaching setup.
However, Maresca reserved particular praise for "the Englishman," first-team coach Danny Walker. Walker, who previously served as Maresca’s assistant in City’s elite development squad (EDS) and followed him to Leicester and Chelsea, has developed a deep understanding of the club’s emerging talent. "When I joined the EDS, Danny was there, he was previously with the under-16s and they moved him to become my assistant. Since then we are always together, he knows Nico O’Reilly, Rico Lewis, he had them from under-six to under-12. He knows all of them," Maresca explained, beaming. Walker’s expertise in player development and his ability to foster strong relationships with the younger generation are seen as invaluable assets. Maresca added, "He is very good. He is good on extra work at the end, when we keep players doing something extra." The demanding nature of their roles was underscored by Maresca’s pragmatic assessment: "It is demanding. If we don’t win games, we are all going home."
The Captaincy Conundrum and Leadership Group
With the departure of Bernardo Silva, the responsibility of appointing Manchester City’s next captain now rests with Maresca. He has indicated a desire to include a homegrown player in the leadership committee, which currently comprises Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, and Rodri. Rodri, in particular, has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with Barcelona reportedly making a failed bid for the influential midfielder.
When questioned about Erling Haaland’s potential as captain, Maresca outlined a tactical consideration that could pose a challenge. "At Leicester and Chelsea I had a rule that when we scored the captain had to come to the bench, not to celebrate, but for instructions. But if he scores, then he can celebrate." He humorously elaborated, "If Erling is the captain, we have a problem, can you imagine? If you saw the game [against K-League XI] on Wednesday, when we scored the first goal, Ruben came over to the bench. I think even if it is two or three minutes, there is always something to adjust." This logistical consideration, while seemingly minor, highlights Maresca’s meticulous attention to detail. He confirmed, "At the moment, we have three or four [in the leadership group] and we are missing one. In the case of Rodri, see what happens." The impending decision on the captaincy, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future and the formation of the starting XI for the upcoming Community Shield against Arsenal, signifies the significant strategic decisions Maresca is already confronting as he settles into one of the most coveted and scrutinized managerial positions in world football.
