Viana: Maresca and I share ambition to keep City on top

Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana says he and manager Enzo Maresca are fully aligned in their ambitions for the club, with both determined to keep City competing at the highest level.

"We have the same ambition to keep Manchester City competing to the highest level and we're all confident," Viana said in an interview with the club's media channel.

Maresca was appointed to succeed Pep Guardiola, who stepped down in May after a decade in charge during which he led the club to 20 major trophies. The Italian previously worked at City as Lead Coach of the Under-21s and as part of Guardiola's coaching staff during the 2022/23 Treble-winning season.

Viana stressed that Maresca's familiarity with the club eased his transition into the head coach role. "Enzo knew the club already. He worked for Manchester City before. He was not a new face in the building," Viana said. "He has settled really well but he's also brought his new ideas and own way of doing things."

City have made a strong start to the season, winning all four Premier League games and their UEFA Champions League opener away at FC Porto ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup third-round tie with Norwich.

The summer window was shaped heavily by departures, with Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Rodri all leaving for clubs abroad. City responded by bringing in a group of younger players in line with Maresca's philosophy.

"It was a different summer because a new manager came in, new faces, a World Cup," Viana noted. "Everything was a little bit later than normal, but it was important to stay calm and stick to our plan and be patient."

Viana described the recruitment as a success, pointing to a squad that is now one year younger on average than last season. "We have a really young squad. We brought the players that we all believe will be important this season and for the next three, four, five years," he said.

"I think myself, Ferran [CEO Ferran Soriano], Khaldoon [Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak] and Enzo, we are really confident that we have a squad for the next years. If we can, we want to win but at least we will compete very seriously in all competitions."