Photo: The White House / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Enzo Maresca held his first press conference as Manchester City manager on Friday, having signed a three-year contract to succeed Pep Guardiola. The Italian was direct in distancing himself from his predecessor's methods.
"I'm not here to copy someone, I'm here to do my job, to install my football, the way I see football," Maresca said. "I don't think any manager can copy and paste another manager."
Guardiola won 20 trophies during his decade at the Etihad Stadium before departing. Maresca served as his assistant during the 2022/23 season but said the two coaches approach the game differently.
Asked directly about replicating Guardiola's philosophy, Maresca was unambiguous. "I can copy and paste but I don't see the football the same way as other managers. That's why I don't believe in copy and paste."
Maresca arrives at City having delivered league titles at Leicester and Chelsea. He said the expectation to win is clear. "I'm here knowing this is a club that needs to win titles," he said. "I'm joining knowing we need to win titles, but I'm not thinking of May or June."
The 45-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of following a highly successful managerial era but said he views it as an opportunity. "I consider Pep is the best coach in the last 20 years so it's a privilege. But it's also a challenge because we saw that after this kind of manager, always the Club struggle. I'm aware of it, but I'm relaxed and sure we can do a great job."
City have missed out on the Premier League title in each of the previous two seasons.