In what seems to have been soccer’s worst kept secret, Enzo Maresca has finally been announced as the new manager of Manchester City. Following Pep Guardiola is one heck of a task and many are doubting if the Italian can come anywhere close to replicating what Pep achieved in his trophy-laden ten years.
I’m not one of them, though. It’s easy to see why Enzo has been chosen. Well respected? Yes (well, unless you’re Todd Boehly). Knows the club? Yes. Had success as a manager already? Another yes!
Remember, City’s board is not stupid, nor reactionary. The move for Maresca was planned months before Pep announced he was leaving, despite Guardiola’s insistence he only made up his mind shortly before the 25/26 season had finished.
Look, no City fan, or soccer fan in general, is expecting Enzo to hit the heights of his predecessor. Four-in-a-row! Centurions! Fourmidables! In all honesty, what Pep achieved will likely never happen again.
That doesn’t mean Maresca won’t bring success. Whether that’s the Premier League title in his first year, who knows? It’s certainly winnable. City may have lost John Stones and Bernardo Silva but there’s been no exodus of players after Pep’s departure. In fact, the Blues are strengthening, with a move for Elliot Anderson already in the bag.
There’s talk of Maresca being the first manager to be sacked when the Premier League season begins. This will not happen. Man City’s board will give Maresca time to settle. No matter what the 26/27 season brings to the blue three-quarters of Manchester, Enzo Maresca will still be at the helm come May.
As a City fan, I’m expecting us to win the league by 15 points or finish 7th. And you know what? I’m kind of looking forward to the unknown.
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