Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke to journalists for the first time since his appointment as Pep Guardiola’s successor
Enzo Maresca conducted the first press conference of his time as Manchester City manager when he spoke to reporters on Friday. The Italian fielded questions on a range of topics as he spoke about what he called the ‘privilege’ of replacing Pep Guardiola as manager.
Rodri was the big story of the day as Real Madrid eye the best player from the World Cup and City’s contract offer remains unsigned with the Spaniard into the final 12 months of his deal. There has also been movement on the future of James Trafford this week with Leeds looking sign the goalkeeper.
Maresca is at the end of his first week with players at the City Football Academy, with a squad that is mostly made up of youngsters having returned to training this week. Nearly all of the group will head off to Asia on Tuesday for three fixtures, where they will be joined by some of City’s senior stars after their efforts at the World Cup.
Here is a look at how Maresca presented himself in his opening press conference and how he came across.
He was early
A silly point to start with but these things do make a difference and if you are after a first impression it could hardly be better; the last thing a new manager wants to give journalists waiting to write a piece about Guardiola’s successor is to make them wait on a sunny afternoon. It won’t make any difference to how Maresca fares, but however daft it sounds things like that could unconsciously influence how kindly his start is looked upon in a way that lateness would be remembered.
Taking on the challenge
There’s no point in hiding from the fact that taking over from Pep Guardiola is one of the most daunting tasks going, and Maresca went even further by referencing United after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal after Arsene Wenger. It was though, he said on a number of occasions, a privilege to be able to have the opportunity to lead City. Just as with players, you need your coach to be excited to be through the door and Maresca has fresh energy to be able to bring to the environment.
Backing his brand
Maresca does not have the CV that Guardiola had but he is happy enough with his experiences at Leicester and Chelsea to present them as what he wants to continue at the Etihad, both in terms of the playing style and the trophies. Fans will have doubts over both before the action starts but Maresca came across as calm and confident of being able to get what he wants from the squad.
Personal touch
Maresca did not offer much up around transfer targets and was concise on his time at Chelsea after an acrimonious exit, but he did offer more than he had to when answering certain questions – something Guardiola was not always known for. There was mention of how the manager had kept in touch with Jack Grealish after leaving and he went further than he could have done in addressing Rodri’s future.
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