Enzo Maresca names squad verdict and playing style in first Manchester City interview

Enzo Maresca has outlined his vision for Manchester City in his first interview since being confirmed as the club’s new manager, describing the squad he has inherited as ‘young but very good’ and committing to the attacking identity that brought sustained success under Pep Guardiola.

Maresca, 46, has signed a three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, becoming the first permanent successor to Guardiola after a decade of dominance that included last season’s historic Treble. It is his third connection with the club, having previously coached City’s Under-21 side to a league title before returning as part of the Treble-winning coaching staff in 2023.

“I’m very excited, very excited for many reasons,” Maresca said. “The first one is how big the Club is, so this for sure has been one of the reasons why.”

On the scale of the task, the Italian was candid about the weight of expectation. “It’s a huge challenge, for many reasons — all the success over the last 10 to 15 years — but at the same moment it’s a nice challenge. It’s exciting because the target is to continue or carry on the last years where everything was very nice.”

Maresca confirmed that maintaining City’s established style of play is central to why the club appointed him. “Probably the reason why I’m here is also because the idea from the Club is to maintain the same style of football, the same idea, and we’re going to try to do the most important thing in football — try to win, to achieve important things.”

His familiarity with the club’s infrastructure and personnel, he said, gives him an immediate advantage. “It’s much easier when you join a club or a place where you already connect with the people. I know most of the people in terms of squad — I will probably find four or five players from the last time I was here.”

Asked for his assessment of the current group, Maresca offered an encouraging verdict. “Yes, it’s a young squad, but it’s a very good squad. I think we also have the right mix between young players and more experienced players, which helps the young ones a lot to grow and improve.”

On potential transfer activity, Maresca acknowledged work is ongoing without committing to specifics. “The squad is already good, for sure. We need to do some things, but we are working with Hugo and we will see” — a reference to sporting director Hugo Viana, who joined City from Sporting CP ahead of this transition.

Maresca also pointed to the club’s academy as a continued source of talent, though he stopped short of detailing specific prospects, noting the pipeline had been productive throughout both of his previous stints at the club.