{
  "id": 2724051,
  "title": "Man City coach Maresca targets next Rodri after midfielder’s exit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/man-city-coach-maresca-targets-next-rodri-after-midfielders-exit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T05:17:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/man-city-coach-maresca-targets-next-rodri-after-midfielders-exit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has vowed to seek a new Rodri following the midfielder's transfer to Barcelona. Maresca affirmed the club's history of successfully replacing key players, citing examples such as Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland coming to the club after their predecessors' departures. The 30-year-old Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or, four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups during his seven-year tenure, has officially joined Barcelona pending international clearance. Maresca acknowledged the challenge of replacing Rodri but expressed confidence in the club's recruitment strategies, drawing comparisons to previous instances where City managed to secure suitable replacements. The Spain international's departure is part of several offseason changes as City continues to revamp their squad. Maresca anticipates more transfer activity before the window closes and remains unfazed by reports of other players like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez potentially leaving the club. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong team and adapting to the inevitable changes that come with transfer windows.",
  "summary": "Rodri (30) ended a seven-year spell at City on Tuesday, bringing to a close a trophy-laden stay",
  "key_points": [
    "Enzo Maresca vows to sign new Rodri after his departure.",
    "Maresca highlights club's history of replacing key players.",
    "Rodri's 7-year tenure included Ballon d'Or and multiple titles."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Manchester City's proactive pursuit of a new Rodri reflects the club's strategy of swiftly addressing key player departures and maintaining a strong team through calculated recruitment.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Man City boss Maresca targets next Rodri after midfielder's exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/man-city-boss-maresca-targets-next-rodri-after-midfielders-exit",
        "published": "2026-08-23T04:13:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Man City boss Maresca targets next Rodri after midfielder's exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/man-city-boss-maresca-targets-next-rodri-after-midfielders-exit-2724968",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:12:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "EPL: Man City to find new Rodri, says Maresca",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/epl-man-city-to-find-new-rodri-says-maresca",
        "published": "2026-08-23T06:02:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}