Following Guardiola and captaincy dilemma - Maresca on life at Man City

Enzo Maresca has begun his tenure as Manchester City manager following Pep Guardiola's retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season. Guardiola, widely considered one of the greatest managers of his generation, led City to 17 major trophies during his time at the club. Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola's assistant, sat down with UK-based media in Seoul to discuss the challenges ahead.

Maresca stated that he is not under pressure to match Guardiola's success, as people often compare his early performance to the Spaniard's in his first 10 games. He acknowledges that the biggest difference since he was Guardiola's deputy is the increased focus on set-pieces and man-to-man defending in the Premier League. Maresca, who met Guardiola the day before officially taking over, sees the job as a privilege rather than an impossible one.

Maresca has moved into the office previously occupied by Guardiola's long-time assistant, Pep Linders, signaling a change for the players. He has also apologized for his mid-season departure from Chelsea and used the time in between to enjoy family time and learn about artificial intelligence. Despite the rise of AI in everyday life, Maresca believes that it is not enough to ensure a successful City career. He emphasizes the league's quality, with six dominant teams and a rich history of producing top players and managers.