Maresca brings calm and a new identity to Manchester City after Guardiola

Enzo Maresca’s succession of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City was expected to be one of football’s most difficult managerial challenges. Guardiola left behind a highly successful era that reshaped competition in England and Europe, while Maresca inherited a winning team, demanding supporters and players accustomed to a distinctive style.

Yet the early signs suggest Maresca is handling the pressure with composure. City have won their opening four Premier League matches and share top spot with Arsenal, with the early title race already appearing likely to focus on those two sides.

Their most significant victory came at Old Trafford, where City beat Manchester United 1-0 despite playing much of the match with 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off. The result mattered, but so did the response. City did not panic, maintaining their discipline until the final whistle.

That composure was particularly notable because Maresca faced a similar situation at Old Trafford last September while in charge of Chelsea. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off after only five minutes, forcing Maresca to make two substitutions within the opening seven minutes and switch to a back five. Chelsea, however, could not hold on to the result.

This time, Maresca resisted making radical changes immediately. He allowed City to adjust before moving Ryan Cherki to the right, a decision followed by the introduction of Iliman Ndiaye at half-time.

Maresca’s calmness is also evident away from the pitch. His relaxed, smiling manner in news conferences is markedly different from Guardiola’s more animated public presence. Asked about Erling Haaland’s excellent form after the victory over Manchester United, Maresca replied with a smile: “Happy wife, happy life… for us, happy Erling means happy life.”

The remark reflected a manager determined to establish his own personality rather than imitate Guardiola. That contrast is visible on the touchline, where Guardiola was often highly active, shouting instructions and reacting to every detail, while Maresca frequently stands with his arms folded, observing before intervening.

Training has changed too, with loud house music forming part of the sessions. Maresca has described it as “boom, boom, boom”, believing that making players happier can improve their performances.

Captain Ruben Dias said Maresca had introduced his own ideas, including changes to training, pressing and defensive details, while preserving the foundations of City’s established approach. The defender said much had changed, but the team’s identity and style remained close to what the club had previously known.

That balance may explain the promising start. Maresca has not tried to rebuild City from the beginning or dismantle a proven system; instead, he has added gradual changes.

Comparisons with David Moyes, who succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, were inevitable. Ferguson had spent 27 years at Old Trafford, while Moyes lasted only 10 months before being dismissed. Maresca has acknowledged that comparisons with Guardiola will continue, but said they “do not put pressure on him”.

The start has not been perfect. City suffered a 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield, but responded with five successive victories, including a Champions League win over Porto.

The season remains long, especially after major summer changes to the squad. City begin their Carabao Cup defence against Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium before hosting Sunderland in the Premier League three days later.

Maresca cannot be Guardiola, and does not need to be. So far, he is succeeding by combining City’s winning foundations with greater calm, a lighter atmosphere and ideas of his own.