Enzo Maresca rejects Pep Guardiola copy, charts own course at Man City

Italian Enzo Maresca, 46, opened his first press conference as Manchester City manager at the Etihad Stadium, declaring he will not copy Pep Guardiola and will install his own footballing identity. He stressed respect for the departing coach while promising a distinct path forward.

Maresca emphasized his admiration for Guardiola while insisting his tenure will follow a separate trajectory. He made clear that the new era will not be a replica of the previous decade.

He revealed he spoke with Pep Guardiola a week ago, spending several hours together discussing football and their personal rapport. Maresca described their relationship as "very quite close".

Despite the closeness, he warned it will not translate into day‑to‑day tactical input once the season begins. The manager wants to make independent decisions on the pitch.

Maresca noted that clubs often stumble after a long‑serving manager departs, highlighting the difficulty of following Guardiola’s ten‑year dominance. He said he feels quite relaxed about the task ahead, aware of the historic challenge but confident in his own approach.

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He recognised that many clubs have struggled in the wake of such managerial change. This awareness informs his preparation for the role.

Calling Guardiola "the best coach and manager of the last 20 years", Maresca framed succeeding him as both a privilege and a challenge. He said this privilege fuels his ambition to deliver a great job for the club.

Maresca asserted his own footballing vision is distinct enough to stand on its own terms at the Etihad Stadium. When asked about tactics, he rejected the premise of copying, stating every manager is different and replication is flawed by design. He added he may tweak concepts but will not adopt a copy‑and‑paste approach, letting his perception of the game guide decisions.

According to Sam Lee, Maresca intends to focus solely on the head‑coach role, avoiding the all‑encompassing remit Guardiola held at Manchester City. He also stressed that Guardiola should enjoy his moment while Maresca finds solutions without relying on his predecessor.

Maresca outlined Manchester City’s transfer ambitions after the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson, indicating he is already shaping the squad to fit his philosophy. He hinted further acquisitions will reflect his own footballing identity rather than a continuation of the previous regime.