“I feel back home” – Enzo Maresca hails Man City organisational stability in first press conference as manager | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has spoken publicly for the first time as Manchester City head coach, describing his return to the Etihad Stadium as feeling like coming home and outlining the responsibility he feels in succeeding Pep Guardiola.

Maresca has taken over the baton from Guardiola following the resolution of a compensation dispute with Chelsea, having previously managed Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad and played a key role as his predecessor’s assistant in the 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.

The 46-year-old has begun preparations for the new season with a limited cohort of Manchester City stars, loan returnees and academy stars off the back of the FIFA World Cup in North America.

Maresca: It’s a privilege to succeed Pep, I consider him the best coach in the world

Speaking in his first press conference as Manchester City head coach, Maresca spoke about a full circle return to the Etihad Stadium after spells managing Leicester City and Chelsea.

“I feel back home. I feel very good. The feeling since day one has been brilliant. So I’m happy,” the 46-year-old began.

On the subject of replacing Guardiola – one of the most consequential managerial successions in English football history, the Italian added: “First of all, I’d like to say it’s a privilege – the reason why, the club decided to go for me, that means for me it’s a privilege.

“I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20, 25 years. It’s a challenge, it’s nice, a privilege. Also, the history of managers with many years in the same club, after always you struggle a little – Sir Alex (Ferguson), Arsene (Wenger). But also it’s a challenge to try and do the right things immediately for this organisation, the fans, everyone.”

Three managers in 17 years is not normal, admits Maresca

Maresca also spoke at length on the broader organisational stability that he believes gives Manchester City a structural advantage over their rivals, drawing on the club’s exceptional recent history to make the case for why he feels confident about the challenge ahead.

“This club, this organisation, has had three managers in 17 years. This is not normal. It doesn’t happen often,” Maresca said.

“This probably is one of the things that I’m confident we can do a great job, continue to do the job that has been done in the last 14 or 15 years, since Roberto Mancini, Manuel (Pellegrini) and for 10 years with Pep.”

What do Maresca’s words tell us about his Man City approach?

Maresca’s framing of the three-manager stability as a source of confidence rather than an intimidating standard to meet reflects the mindset that director of football Hugo Viana and City’s hierarchy identified when making him their choice to succeed Guardiola – a manager who understands the organisation, knows its culture and believes he can add to it.

The Italian has a genuine emotional connection to a club that shaped his development as a coach, and that connection will be visible in every training session, press conference and tactical decision he makes in the months ahead.

Whether that connection can be translated into the trophies, performances and consistency that Elliot Anderson and the club’s newly assembled squad deliver on the pitch will define everything – but Maresca’s first words as City manager suggest a man who arrived knowing exactly where he is and exactly what he intends to do.