Relaxed and tanned, Enzo Maresca began his reign as Manchester City manager with an unexpected tribute. “Before we start, I would like to send a message and a big hug to Kevin Keegan’s family for this moment,” the Italian said on Friday, following the football legend’s death on Monday. Keegan, a former City manager, once locked horns with Sir Alex Ferguson – a name Maresca soon invoked unprompted, along with Arsène Wenger, as he acknowledged the scale of the task ahead.
The 46-year-old sat on the dais occupied for 10 glittering years by Pep Guardiola, who claimed 20 trophies. Maresca, who previously led City’s elite development squad and served as Guardiola’s assistant during the treble season, faces the challenge of replacing a generation-defining manager. “The history of the manager with many years in the same club always struggled a little bit. After Sir Alex, after Arsène,” he said. “But also, it’s a challenge to try to do the right things immediately for this organisation, for the fans, for everyone.”
“Enzo Maresca becomes Man City manager after Guardiola; first match vs Bournemouth on 23 August.”
Speaking in front of a “Welcome back Enzo” billboard, Maresca pointed to the club’s stability. “This club has had three managers in 17 years. This is not normal, so this is one of the things that I’m confident we can do a great job and continue to do the job that has been done in the last years. Roberto [Mancini] was here, then Manuel [Pellegrini] and then Pep – for 10 years.”
City’s post-Guardiola era will begin on Sunday 23 August at home to Bournemouth, as revealed by the Premier League fixtures released last month. It is one of the standout opening weekend matches, with Andoni Iraola taking Liverpool to Newcastle on the same day. Arsenal, the champions, start on Friday 21 August against promoted Coventry, while Hull host Manchester United on Saturday and Ipswich entertain Sunderland.
For Maresca, the task is immediate. The font of goodwill from fans will not prove deep if results go south, but he can rely on patience from chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and his executive, who have overseen only three managers in 17 years. Whether that patience extends to a fanbase accustomed to Guardiola’s brilliance remains the defining question.
