Enzo Maresca faces a daunting in-tray as Manchester City manager, with challenges spanning the past, present, and future. The 45-year-old Italian must navigate the legacy of Pep Guardiola, who won 20 titles in 10 years, including three Community Shields. Maresca served as Guardiola's assistant during the 2022-23 treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, a key credential to convince players. His other managerial experience includes leading City's elite development squad to the Premier League 2 title in 2020-21, guiding Leicester to Premier League promotion in 2024, and winning the 2025 Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
Cast Off Guardiola's Shadow
The searing question Maresca must answer is how he follows Guardiola, from fans, pundits, and most critically on the pitch. Guardiola's era-defining success sets a high bar. Maresca's single season with City's U23s and his achievements at Leicester and Chelsea serve as his calling cards. But a sticky patch, especially early in his tenure, could see him cast as City's David Moyes—the man who succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and fell short. Maresca must prove he can step out of Guardiola's shadow and forge his own identity.
Enter Anderson, Exit Rodri?
Rodri, City's midfield controller and 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has given mixed signals about his future. The 29-year-old Spaniard said: 'I'm very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and I'll tell you that perhaps if there hadn't been a World Cup, things might be different now.' He is recovering from a serious knee injury in September 2024 and subsequent setbacks. A sale could be opportune for both parties, funding his replacement: Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, 23, who is on the verge of signing for £116m. Anderson is a key midfielder for Thomas Tuchel in England's World Cup campaign.
Close the Gap to Arsenal
City finished seven points behind champions Arsenal this season, taking the title race to the penultimate game before a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth handed Arsenal the crown. The margin is considerable but not unbridgeable. Maresca's mission is to overhaul it, or at least keep City 'still there' at the business end, as Guardiola's mantra went, ensuring job protection. The biggest problem is obvious: a poor start could see him labelled as the patsy who followed the legend.
Hope for True Backing from the Hierarchy
City's driving ethos, per chair Khaldoon al-Mubarak, is that no manager is more important than the club. Yet when Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain were hired as CEO and sporting director in 2012, they built a Barcelona-style operation primed for Guardiola. Begiristain left last summer, replaced by Hugo Viana, as the post-Guardiola era begins. For Maresca to succeed, three factors must align: al-Mubarak, Soriano, and Viana must have identified the right man; players must be convinced; and most importantly, the hierarchy must back Maresca if form dips and criticism mounts.
Find Other Scoring Options
Since Erling Haaland arrived in summer 2022, City have been built around the Norwegian No 9. This strategy yielded a treble, Super Cup, Club World Cup, four consecutive titles, and last season's Carabao Cup and FA Cup double. But when Haaland is injured or misfires, City struggle. Two seasons ago, he scored 'only' 22 Premier League goals (third behind Mohamed Salah) and eight more in other competitions, resulting in City's sole trophyless season since his arrival. Maresca must develop alternative scoring options to reduce reliance on Haaland.
