“He knows the ins and outs” – Kyle Walker hails Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca appointment | OneFootball

Former Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has praised the Blues’ appointment of Enzo Maresca as new head coach following Pep Guardiola’s recent departure.

The Italian has returned to the Etihad Stadium for a third stint on a three-year contract valid until the summer of 2029 – after parting ways with Chelsea on New Year’s Day.

Maresca was City’s Elite Development Squad coach in the 2020-21 season. leading the U21s to a first-ever Premier League 2 title, and returned to the Etihad Stadium as one of Pep Guardiola‘s assistant managers for the club’s historic 2022-23 treble winning campaign.

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano have expressed confidence in Maresca’s managerial capabilities, with the 46-year-old confirmed as Guardiola’s successor earlier this week.

As Maresca prepares for his first pre-season as Manchester City manager, former Blues captain Kyle Walker has shared his thoughts on what deems a ‘clever’ personnel decision from his former club.

Enzo Maresca has “tough boots to follow”: Walker

In a new interview with The Sun, Walker shed light on how Maresca’s prior and intense knowledge about City is an important factor as the club embark upon life beyond Guardiola.

“Bringing Enzo Maresca in as manager is a clever appointment by Manchester City. I think the big point about Enzo joining is he knows the philosophy of the club, he knows the ins and outs, and knows what it means to the supporters. That’s important.”

The 36-year-old right-back, who joined Burnley from City in 2025, highlighted that Maresca will need to prove himself as the “right man for the job” given his predecessor, Guardiola, who has taken the club to great heights during his illustrious 10-year tenure.

The Catalan manager has led City to win 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title.

“But he still needs to prove that he can be the right man for the job. And Pep Guardiola’s boots are tough boots to follow, I can assure you of that,” added Walker.

However, the Englishman also emphasized on Maresca’s coaching abilities, recalling his contributions as Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester City’s historic 2022–23 continental treble-winning season.

Walker mentioned that the former Chelsea manager was “a great bridge between the players and the manager” following Mikel Arteta’s departure to Arsenal.

What’s next for Enzo Maresca and Man City?

Walker believes that Maresca’s approach as a head coach is going to differ from that of an assistant and expressed hope that the former midfielder could potentially match Guardiola’s success at Manchester City in the upcoming years.

The defender further addressed the manager’s abrupt ending at Chelsea, despite winning the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup with the south-west London side.

“Now he’s got another chance at City and time will tell whether he is the right man,” Walker added. “But he’s got a good group of lads and it’s about both parties finding the balance between each other and taking the club on to bigger and better things.”

Manchester City and Maresca are expected to have a busy time in the summer transfer window, with several top players, including Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, heavily speculated as potential signings.

Maresca’s first game in charge is slated for August 1 against Inter Milan at the start of a pre-season tour in South Korea. His first competitive match is against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on August 16.

The 46-year-old will make his Premier League debut as Manchester City manager in their opening 2026-27 fixture against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on August 23.