Manchester City: Maresca discusses player futures and club vision
Maresca’s initial address and tributes
Enzo Maresca has addressed the media for the first time as Manchester City manager, acknowledging the significant challenge of succeeding Pep Guardiola. He began by extending a message to the family of former City manager Kevin Keegan, who passed away recently. Maresca recognised Keegan’s legacy, noting his past role at the club and his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Newcastle.
Maresca, who previously led City’s elite development squad and served as Guardiola’s assistant, expressed his understanding of the task ahead. He referenced the history of managers who have followed long-serving figures at clubs, mentioning the transitions after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger. He highlighted the club’s history of stability with only three managers over 17 years, which he sees as a positive sign for his tenure.
Maresca’s return to City follows his departure from Chelsea, a move that reportedly left the London club feeling “let down.” City paid a compensation fee to Chelsea for his services. When asked about his exit from Chelsea, Maresca stated he had “nothing to add,” focusing instead on his new role at City.
Player updates and transfer market activity
Regarding player movements, Maresca provided an update on Rodri, who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium. Rodri is scheduled to undergo surgery next week for a back problem and is expected to rejoin the squad after his recovery. Rodri, who recently lifted the World Cup for Spain, will miss City’s opening match against Bournemouth. The transfer window’s closing date on 1 September is noted as a key date, particularly concerning Rodri’s contract situation, as he has one year remaining on his current terms and has not yet signed a new deal offered by City.
Maresca also addressed the futures of Jack Grealish and James Trafford but did not offer clear indications about their next steps. The club has made an acquisition, with Elliot Anderson joining to strengthen the midfield. There is also reported interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi, who played for Morocco at the World Cup, and Malo Gusto, a right-back Maresca previously coached at Chelsea. If Omar Marmoush departs, the club may seek a similar forward in the transfer market.
Maresca is set to travel for a pre-season tour of Asia, which includes matches against Inter in Hong Kong, and against K-League All Stars and Atlético Madrid in Seoul. Key players who exited the World Cup early, such as Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, and Abdukodir Khusanov, will join the squad for this trip. The remaining players are expected to join the team a few days before the Community Shield.
Community engagement and upcoming season
Manchester City is inviting fans to an event titled “City Are Back,” presented by Etihad Airways, offering an opportunity to engage with the team before Maresca’s first season. This event will feature new signings in action and allow supporters to hear from the new manager and recruits, as well as familiar faces. The event will also include entertainment for younger fans, such as live performances, music, and a Kids Fanzone with football skills challenges.
Attendees at the “City Are Back” event will have the chance to win prizes, including a signed shirt by the full squad, hospitality tickets for a home game, a mascot place for the new season, and an opportunity to meet players. Fans can also take photos with the domestic double trophies from last season, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. Tickets for the event are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for Under 21s and Over 65s, with hospitality packages also available. Two tickets are available per supporter. The event gates at the Joie Stadium will open at 13:30 UK time, with the event starting at 14:00 UK time. For those unable to attend, the event will be live-streamed across the club’s channels.
General admission tickets for Manchester City’s home 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are currently on sale to Premium, Matchday, and Junior Members. Season Ticket Members can also purchase additional tickets for selected games. Premier League match-by-match ticket prices for junior and adult Matchday Members have been maintained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.
Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
