Enzo Maresca has wasted little time putting his own stamp on Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a decade in charge.
The new City boss has moved into the office previously occupied by Guardiola’s assistant. In contrast, Guardiola’s former office, which he used for around 10 years, has now been converted into a meeting room. The change is being viewed as an early indication that Maresca wants to establish his own identity at the club.
Before officially taking charge, Maresca also travelled to Barcelona to meet Guardiola for several hours. The pair discussed the Manchester City squad, including individual players’ personalities, how they respond when left out of the team, and whether some members of the squad may have lost their way.
Despite being heavily influenced by Guardiola during his previous spell on the City coaching staff, Maresca has made it clear that he wants to do things his own way. However, the relationship between the two managers remains strong. Maresca knows Guardiola is only a phone call away if he needs advice as he begins the difficult task of succeeding one of the most successful managers in Manchester City’s history.
Maresca previously worked alongside Guardiola at City, giving him an inside understanding of the club’s culture and footballing philosophy. He now faces the challenge of maintaining that winning culture while creating a new chapter of his own.