Photo: The White House / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Enzo Maresca opened his first public appearance as Manchester City manager on Thursday, speaking to fans at a special open training session at the Joie Stadium ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Italian succeeded Pep Guardiola in the hotseat this summer and will lead City into their first competitive fixture of the new campaign — the Community Shield against Arsenal at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Sunday, kick-off 16:00 UK time.
"I'm completely excited, I know the expectation when you join a club like City," Maresca said after the session. "The expectation is to win games, to win titles and to compete for titles. And we are going to try that."
Maresca described returning to the club — where he previously served as Elite Development Squad head coach before joining Guardiola's senior coaching staff — as a homecoming. "It's a special moment; the feeling is like being back at home so it's a very nice feeling," he said.
Asked what would constitute success this season, Maresca was direct. "For sure, try to win some titles," he said. "It's what the Club has to fight for, so hopefully we can be at the end of the season and enjoy that moment."
Maresca noted the squad had changed significantly, estimating around 80 percent turnover, but said the atmosphere within the club felt familiar. Guardiola's decade in charge produced 20 major trophies at City.