Enzo Maresca has vowed he will not be a “copy and paste” coach of Pep Guardiola after succeeding the Spaniard at Manchester City.
Guardiola left City after a glittering 10-year spell which included six Premier League titles and a Champions League, as well as three FA Cups and a Club World Cup.
City were a dominant force under Guardiola, who had been the longest-serving Premier League manager before he decided to leave.
Maresca, who served as Guardiola’s assistant in 2022-23, is now tasked with ensuring City stay among the challengers in the Premier League and other competitions, though he insists he is not solely at the Etihad to emulate his predecessor’s success.
And asked about the pressure he faced as Guardiola’s replacement, he said: “Every manager is different, day by day and approach to games.
“We are seeing which way we need to tweak some concepts. I don’t think they just copy and paste. I don’t see the football in the same way as the previous manager; that is why I don’t believe in copy and paste.
“I think there is a clear identity at the former clubs I have joined. That is probably the reason the club decide for me; they can see a similar concept with the previous manager.
“I have spoken with Pep a lot since he decided to leave the club. He needs to enjoy his moment, and I also need to do my job and find a solution for myself. After 10 years, playing every three days, it is very demanding. He deserves a relax!”
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 25, 2026
In his 18 months at Chelsea, Maresca led the Blues to two trophies, winning the Conference League in 2024-25 before then beating Paris Saint-Germain to clinch the Club World Cup.
Maresca’s Chelsea averaged 1.74 points per game in the Premier League. The only managers to lead them for 30 or more league games in the 21st century and have a lower rate are Frank Lampard (1.52) and Mauricio Pochettino (1.66).
But Maresca is not shying away from the demand to win trophies across all competitions with City.
“With this kind of club, you need to win titles,” he added. “But if you just focus on the final target, you miss all the previous parts.
“I am a manager who loves the day-by-day. Preparing sessions and spending time with my players.
“At the end, for sure, the target is to win titles with this club. The two previous clubs [Leicester City and Chelsea], we delivered and won titles. I am not thinking about May or June; I am thinking about now. We will see day by day.”
