“Hopefully it’s the last time” – Enzo Maresca makes bold admission on Man City future | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has made a bold admission over his future at the Etihad Stadium in just his first interview as the club’s new first-team boss.

With the decade-long, trophy-laden era of Pep Guardiola coming to an end earlier this summer, Sporting Director Hugo Viana acted with precision to bring Maresca back to the Etihad Stadium as the chosen successor to the Catalan.

The Italian previously excelled within the club’s infrastructure, driving the Elite Development Squad to trophy glory before playing a vital technical role as assistant coach during the historic 2022/23 Treble-winning campaign.

City have already laid down a serious marker across the top-flight by finalising a club-record £116 million package for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who successfully completed his medical checks at England’s training base in Kansas City over the weekend.

Armed with a strong playing squad and having already spent his first days at the club’s training ground, Enzo Maresca’s public unveiling has instantly set a highly ambitious, long-term tone for seasons to come.

Enzo Maresca makes bold claim on Man City future

Speaking during his first interview as Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca opened up on his intention to remain as the club’s first-team boss for the remainder of his top-level managerial career.

“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,” said Maresca.

“It’s exciting because the target is to continue or carry on the last decade or the last years that everything was very nice. I’m very excited, very excited for many reasons,” he continued. “The first one is how big the Club is, so this for sure has been one of the reasons why.”

And issuing a bold statement on his future at the Etihad Stadium, the Italian admitted, “This is the third time [I am working here at City] – hopefully it’s the last time I come back and I don’t leave anymore!”

Hugo Viana is building a long-term City project

By acknowledging his desire to never leave, the 46-year-old coach has aligned himself with the structural permanence that Hugo Viana is building behind the scenes.

This unified stance will be critical as the Italian prepares to sit down and cement tactical expectations, whilst also outlining the travelling roster for the upcoming summer exhibition tour of Hong Kong and South Korea, which kicks off on August 1 against Inter Milan.

With the managerial situation cleanly resolved, Manchester City can continue channelling their resources and attention into finalising their remaining high-priority summer transfer targets.

The club is believed to be keen on securing a new right-back, with Chelsea’s Malo Gusto one of the names on a shortlist, alongside eyeing a second blockbuster midfield signing through Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali – who remains a primary objective for Tottenham.