Manchester City’s early surge under Maresca fuels six‑win run
On Thursday the 17th, Enzo Maresca oversaw Manchester City’s 5‑0 demolition of Norwich City in the English League Cup, extending the club’s unbeaten run and marking a bright start to his tenure. The victory came just a day after the side recorded another league win, reinforcing the momentum built since the defeat to Arsenal in the English Super Cup.
Since the loss to Arsenal in the English Super Cup, Manchester City have recorded six straight victories when Premier League and Champions League fixtures are combined. The club’s officials stress that this run should not be treated as a surprise.
Maresca’s pedigree and appointment
Maresca was appointed to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after the Spaniard’s departure. He had already served as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022/23 season, a campaign that delivered the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
The Italian was approached by Manchester City while still in charge of Chelsea midway through that season, a move that ultimately led to his dismissal from the Blues. The board regarded his time alongside Guardiola as proof that he could continue the squad’s renewal.
Early results and tactical imprint
"When I decided to join the club, I was quite sure it was a good club and that the players were good. At the same time, I knew the club was going through a period of change, after ten years with the same coach and the departure of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Aké," Maresca said on Friday the 18th.
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In his first weeks, Maresca guided City to wins over Bournemouth, Coventry City, Crystal Palace and Manchester United in the Premier League, as well as a Champions League triumph over Porto and the 5‑0 cup victory over Norwich. Across those six matches the side netted 15 goals while creating only two genuine chances against them.
Squad overhaul and transfer spend
Only Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rúben Dias were on the pitch in Istanbul for the Champions League final against Inter Milan; Rico Lewis is the fourth player to have risen into the squad since then, excluding loaned‑out Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish.
Maresca has already overseen the integration of a new defensive line of Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Dias, and midfield reinforcements including Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi to replace Rodri and Bernardo Silva. The club’s latest transfer window saw spending of more than R$ 3 billion, bringing in Allan, who scored his first City goal against Norwich, and Ibrahim Ndiaye from Everton as an attacking option after the exits of Omar Marmoush and Savinho.
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"The most important thing when you arrive at a new club is to see that the players understand what the coach wants. I can see, day after day, game after game, that it is very clear to them what we want," Maresca explained. "Nevertheless, the six‑match winning streak remains, in the eyes of the club, an expected continuation rather than a surprise."