Enzo Maresca steps into the Etihad dugout with a glittering CV but one inescapable question: can he escape the shadow of Pep Guardiola? Across 10 era-defining years Guardiola claimed 20 titles, including three Community Shields, while Maresca was at his side for the treble of 2022-23. That alone is a calling card for the players he must convince, but the new manager also has his own honours: a Premier League 2 title with City's elite development squad in 2021, promotion with Leicester in 2024, and European and world glory with Chelsea in 2025.
Yet the present reality is unforgiving. City finished second, seven points behind Arsenal, their title challenge ending with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth that handed the crown to Mikel Arteta's side. The margin is considerable, and Maresca's mission is to overhaul it – or at least ensure the side are "still there" at the business end, as Guardiola used to say. That means solving the midfield riddle posed by Rodri, who has been giving mixed messages about his future. "I'm very calm, I know exactly where I stand," the Ballon d'Or winner said, adding: "Perhaps if there hadn't been a World Cup, things might be different now." A sale could fund a replacement: Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson is on the verge of signing for £116m, the 23-year-old already a vital cog in Thomas Tuchel's England setup.
“Enzo Maresca takes over at Manchester City needing to escape Guardiola's shadow and close a seven-point gap to Arsenal.”
On the pitch, Maresca inherits a side that already boasts one of the league's most transformed players. Matheus Nunes – whose £53m move from Wolves once prompted Guardiola to say he was not "clever enough" for midfield – has reinvented himself as one of the Premier League's finest right-backs. He will be crucial in closing the gap on an Arsenal defence that set new standards. David Raya won his third straight Golden Glove with 19 clean sheets, his smothering save from Mateus Fernandes against West Ham in the final fortnight the defining image of the season. Gabriel Magalhães finished with a league-best 17 clean sheets for defenders, while Arsenal conceded only 27 goals – their best since the Invincibles – and scored a record 18 from corners, thanks in no small part to Gabriel's aerial presence and three goals. Beside him, William Saliba was dribbled past just seven times, the third-fewest in the Premier League.
Maresca's in-tray is full. He must step out from Guardiola's shadow, resolve Rodri's future, and find a way past a brick-wall Arsenal defence. Over to you, Enzo.