Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is about to change. A strategic turbulence is rushing for Manchester City fans. The biggest gamble is on the way for Citizens.
Manchester City is heading towards its most turbulent period. If you believe the 2024-25 season was the hardest one, then the departure of Pep Guardiola will shake City. Enzo Maresca is a possible successor for Pep Guardiola. He was part of Pep’s team as an assistant manager before joining Chelsea FC.
He is one of the people who well understood Pep Guardiola’s tactics. But when he joined Chelsea, things were pretty different in tactical behavior. He won the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup last year by beating Paris Saint-Germain FC. But disappointing departures from the Blues raised concerns.
Why is Enzo Maresca the most concerning candidate?
The most concerning thing is that the City is considering a candidate who lost his job in the past six months. For sure, he won a trophy by beating Europe’s best side, but the last days at Chelsea were not good enough. The biggest concern for Manchester City fans is that several elite coaches are available in the market, yet the club seems determined to move for Enzo Maresca. Managers with stronger reputations and bigger achievements are still available, which increases the pressure on Maresca even before his possible arrival at the Etihad Stadium.
Somewhere, this move brings a fear of expectations. The city is giving Enzo priority even though they can bring someone with a stronger portfolio. This move has already marked a level of expectation for Enzo that he will need to deliver. Following this, we had a previous similar situation with Rúben Amorim at Manchester United FC. A potential move ended with the biggest joke in club history. Enzo will face a similar kind of pressure to that Ruben had at United.
Can the Italian guy replicate the Spanish mastermind?
Enzo Maresca was part of Pep Guardiola’s team, so initially, it is expected that he will replicate the magic of the Spanish mastermind. But do we need the same style for more years? Manchester City is known for Pep Guardiola’s style. But the fans are expecting a change of strategy with the new boss. Enzo has a different type of playmaking and tactics, which may work for Manchester City or may not.
Following the departure of Pep Guardiola, John Stones and Bernardo Silva have already confirmed leaving the Blues. Many players are also on the verge of leaving the camp, including a few big signings that were not part of the long-term plan. They didn’t get a place on the playing side. One thing is sure in this summer window: if Pep leaves, Manchester City is going to bring in some new players.
Is Manchester City having another long-term project?
The biggest question in the minds of Citizens is whether they are going to have a long-term project similar to Pep’s or if Enzo is just an early arrival. For many clubs, long-term projects work, and the biggest example is Manchester City itself. But it is not a proven method that always works. Previously at Chelsea, we saw that things collapsed very early.
On the other side of the project, if Enzo stays for five or ten years, there will be new signings for the long term. Things may work in this aspect as Manchester City also has a well-polished academy, where players like Phil Foden, Brahim Díaz, and Nico O’Reilly are a few reputable examples. Bringing in new young talent is not a big deal for City. But a few names that will be the core of a long-term project are ideal.
On top of this, Enzo will get a benefit as Erling Haaland is already staying at Manchester City for the long term. So the core is already there; Enzo just has to surround him with the right players.
Somewhere, the change at Manchester City is approaching. But the time has come for a new managerial change that will benefit the city for a new decade.