Enzo Maresca speaks to the media for his first news conference as Manchester City boss, saying it was “privilege” to succeed Pep Guardiola.
Maresca spoke on the future of Rodri, Jack Grealish and James Trafford while also acknowledging the challenge that faces him.
He began his press conference however with a touching tribute following the death of Kevin Keegan, who died earlier this week at the age of 75.
Q: How does it feel to be back at Manchester City and and how has the the settling in period been for you so far?
Maresca: Yeah, before we start, I would like to send message a big act to Kevin Keegan family for this moment. And yeah, I feel to be honest, I feel as we said like back home, I feel very good. The feeling since since day one has been brilliant. So happy.
Q: In terms of your squad so far, you’ve made a a few changes with Anderson coming in, signing up Foden on a new deal, some players have left. Where do you view the squad at the moment, how it sits, and how much work do you think there is to be done before you will be happy with it?
Maresca: I think there is always something to do because it’s something that we want but also because it’s a bit the dynamic of the you know window transferred. So probably there are a few things to do but yeah we are in the process to do that.
Q: Pep Guardiola sat there for 10 years widely regarded as the best coach on the planet. So does that make following him the toughest job in world football?
Maresca: First of all I have to say that it’s a privilege because the reason why the club decide to go for me that means that for me it’s a privilege. As you said I said many times that as you just said I consider Pep probably the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years but again it’s a challenge it’s nice, it’s a privilege. Also the history know of the manager with many years in the same club after always struggle a little bit after Sir Alex after but also it’s a challenge to try to do the right things immediately for this organisation for the fans for everyone.
Q: What gives you the most confidence that you are the man to take this club and not struggle like other managers that you’ve just reference maybe have.
Maresca: First of all, I think the organisation is the main thing. This club, this organisation, they are three manager in 17 years. This is not normal. It’s not happen often. So this probably is one of the thing that I’m confident that we can do a a great job. We can continue to do the job that has done has been done in the last probably 14 15 years since Roberto was here, Mancini, and then after Manuel [Pellegrini] and as you said for 10 for 10 years Pep.
Q: And can I ask you about Rodri? Now it’s our understanding he will have to have surgery on a back issue there’s also a lot of reports linking him with a move away given that he’s coming into the last year of his contract. Now he said himself he’ll decide his future after the World Cup which is obviously now finished just want get your understanding of the situation with Rodri. Are you expecting him back? You expecting him to play for Manchester City next season? Where are we at with that, please?
Maresca: Yeah, first of all, we have to say that around big player, there are always speculation. So, I’m not worried about that. I think it’s normal. Also, because they won the World Cup, he was the best player or one of the best player. And I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player. But now as you said surgery on I think Monday and he needs holiday he needs to rest. He needs to recovery and then he will be back here with us.
Q: When your appointment was confirmed, Chelsea issued quite a a strong statement saying that they felt let down um over the manner of your departure from there. Can you do you accept that and can you can you comment on that statement from Chelsea?
Maresca: No, I, to be honest I feel quite lucky in terms of my former club as Leicester, Chelsea. I think we did great job in both club, the identity of the team was clear, the success of the team was clear and I feel very lucky to be part of these clubs. But now I think we are here today that is the most important thing just about City and nothing to add.
Q: And in terms of the players you’ve got here and their availability, a lot of them taking leave after the World Cup, when do you expect to have a full squad available for for training?
Maresca: Yeah the last group of players they’re going to join us I think three four days before the Community Shield final. And since there we have all the squad here. Now I’m working with many young players. That is always good because full of energy, some of them very good. So yeah, happy.
Q: Could any other club other than Manchester City have convinced you to move? What is it about this job and this opportunity that excites you so much?
Maresca: I just said first of all I know quite well the organisation. I know the people inside the club from years ago as you know the structure of the club. Again I just said that when a club change you know three manager in almost 20 years also show how serious or is the structure you know that probably understand to give time for everything and since Man City contact, or no doubt about join this this fantastic club.
Q: Can I ask you about Jack Grealish? He arguably had his best form for City during the year, the treble season when you were here. He was on loan at Everton last year, had injury issues as well. He’s back with the the club now. Do you see him as a regular part of your plans for this season?
Maresca: Jack at the moment is here. Man City player. I always said the same in any club I join. I like to, you know, if there are players that they belong to the club, it’s my duty to try to coach them. Jack at the moment is here. I have a good relation with Jack since I left also. We keep in touch and the reason why is because he has a big heart and he’s a very good guy. So this is the reason why. And then we see what’s happen.
Q: And can I ask you about James Trafford as well, does the same apply to him?
Maresca: Yeah, James. I know. Anyway, you know, I know James because he was my keeper when I was with under 23. So, James, I know James very good. But again, when the window transfer is open now or January it’s anything can happen. So, we see but at the moment it’s one of our keeper.
Q: Can you just explain the kind of football that you like to play and now you’re at City with the players you’re going to have, how you want to play and what we can expect?
Maresca: Yeah, I just said I think was a clear identity, you know, the former clubs I joined Leicester and then Chelsea. Probably the reason why the club decide for me is because they can see some similar concept with the previous manager and we always try to be aggressive off the ball, control the game, try to be the ones that we impose our idea and try to do the most important thing in football that is win games at the end.
Q: You talked about controlling the game. In the last couple of years, the Premier League seems to have changed a lot in terms of set pieces and long throws, but the man-to-man marking and the impact that that’s had on how teams try and play from the back and build up. How has it affected what you like to do at Chelsea and how does it affect your plans for this for this team?
Maresca: It’s just a matter of adapt. I think any for sure now we are talking about football, but any profession I think that with the time everything changed. So, you need to you need to adapt. You need to evolve as you said set pieces man to man. Now it’s a little bit you know the direction where football is going but at the end is we manage or we are in charge or we have the responsibility of that and it’s our duty to find solution.
Q: What kind of things did you deploy as solutions you know in your last season at Chelsea and obviously I’m sure you’re planning for next season. What what kind of things do you have to change? Cause we saw Pep last season go quite long from Donnarumma up to Haaland sometimes which was different. How do you foresee that changing?
Maresca: Yeah, that can be a solution for sure. Sometimes you have to go short, sometimes you have to go long. Depends a little bit also what the opponents they do. But you have to adapt and I think it’s a nice weapon with the Erling as a nine. Not all the teams or the clubs have this kind of players that are good in in combination but cannot be the only solution. We need to find more.
Q: You mentioned Pep earlier. Have you spoken to him at all since you took the job? And do you plan to speak to him much going forward?
Maresca: Yeah. I spoke with Pep a lot since he decided to leave the club. I was with him a week ago. We spent some hours together. But the relation with Pep since I was with under 23 always has been very quite close.
Q: Do you expect to sort of speak to him much week to week or do you want to leave him alone to enjoy his retirement?
Maresca: No, he needs to enjoy he needs to enjoy his moment and I also need to to do my job and to find the solution.
