Half of City fans back Maresca as new head coach despite Guardiola shadow

Enzo Maresca has the backing of half of Manchester City’s fanbase as he prepares to take charge of his first training session at the club on Monday, July 20, according to a poll of 2,318 supporters conducted by the Manchester Evening News.

Fifty per cent of respondents said they were happy with the Italian’s appointment, which was confirmed on June 29 after a lengthy negotiation period. Just 14 per cent said they were not happy with his arrival, while 36 per cent remained undecided — a figure that suggests a significant portion of supporters are willing to reserve judgement before making up their minds.

Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola, who stepped aside at the end of last season after a transformative era at the Etihad Stadium. The new head coach is not without ties to the club, however. He previously managed City’s academy and served as part of Guardiola’s backroom staff during the Treble-winning 2022-23 season, a pedigree that appears to have helped reassure a portion of the support.

City have also moved quickly to build out Maresca’s coaching staff. Roberto Vitiello, Willy Caballero, Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Denis Silva, and Javier Molina have all been confirmed as fresh appointments, with each having worked alongside Maresca previously. The cohesion of a familiar staff could prove important as Maresca looks to establish his own identity at a club accustomed to sustained success.