Enzo Maresca knows exactly what he has signed up for at Manchester City. Tasked with succeeding Pep Guardiola, arguably the finest manager of his generation, the Italian is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge awaiting him at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to travelling UK media in Seoul during pre-season, Maresca addressed the comparisons that will inevitably follow him throughout his tenure. "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," he said. "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."
Guardiola departed City at the end of last season having delivered 17 major honours, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph. Maresca, who served as his assistant during the historic 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign, returns to Manchester in the top job, having spent time with Guardiola in Barcelona before formally taking over. "We spent some hours together," Maresca revealed. "I like to go in empty sometimes to see things for myself, but he was here so long, he has his opinions."
Symbolically, Maresca has opted not to occupy Guardiola's old office, instead moving into the space previously used by former assistant Pep Lijnders, with Guardiola's office now repurposed as a meeting room.
The scale of the rebuild at City is significant. Following departures including John Stones and former captain Bernardo Silva, and with almost £700m spent across the last four transfer windows, Maresca must reshape a squad that finished seven points behind champions Arsenal last season. Elliot Anderson's £116m arrival was a marquee capture, while Gianluigi Donnarumma has established himself as first-choice goalkeeper following James Trafford's departure. Contract extensions for Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Phil Foden further shape the squad Maresca inherits.
Uncertainty still surrounds Rodri, subject of interest from Real Madrid and a rejected bid from Barcelona worth £38.4m, with his contract entering its final year. His situation complicates one of Maresca's early decisions: who will wear the captain's armband. The leadership group currently includes Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Rodri, with Dias considered the frontrunner. Maresca has stated his preference for an English presence within the leadership structure.
On Haaland's leadership credentials, Maresca offered a light-hearted anecdote about a rule he enforced at previous clubs. "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," he explained. "If Erling is the captain, we have a problem, can you imagine?"
Away from football matters, Maresca discussed how he spent his six months away from management after leaving Chelsea mid-season, an exit for which he later apologised to his former club. "I tried to enjoy a little bit more time with the family," he said, adding that he also completed two AI masterclasses to better understand the technology reshaping many industries, football included.
Tactically, Maresca identified the growing importance of set-pieces and man-to-man marking as the most notable shift in the Premier League since his time as Guardiola's assistant, pointing to Arsenal's tally of 25 set-piece goals last season as an area City must address. New rules limiting time for goal-kicks and throw-ins to five seconds will also factor into his approach.
Despite the challenges, Maresca remains bullish about the division he is entering as a head coach. "Which league can compete with the Premier League?" he asked. "It is completely different compared to other countries."
With the Community Shield against Arsenal looming and major decisions still to be made on his captain, his best XI and Rodri's future, Maresca's first campaign in charge of Manchester City is already shaping up to be one of the most scrutinised in the club's recent history.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport and The Independent.