Enzo Maresca has outlined his ambition to keep Manchester City competing for major honours as he prepares to lead the club into a new era following Pep
Guardiola's hugely successful tenure.
Maresca, who returns to City for a third spell at the club, acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead but insisted the objective remains unchanged: winning trophies and maintaining the standards established over the past decade.
Speaking to JioHotstar, the new City manager said his familiarity with the club and its people had made the return particularly appealing.
"This is the third time I am here at Manchester City. Hopefully, it's the last time I come back and I don't leave anymore," Maresca said. "I'm very excited for many reasons and the biggest one is the size of the club. That has always been a big factor for me. "
The Italian is stepping into the role after a period in which City established themselves as one of the dominant forces in English and European football under Guardiola. Maresca admitted that succeeding a manager who delivered so much success represents a significant challenge, but said the club's ambition has not changed.
"It's a huge challenge to be the manager of a club like Manchester City, especially because of the success they've had over the last 15 years," he said.
"At the same time, it's an exciting challenge. The target is to continue the winning run and maintain the high standards of the past decade. "
Maresca also indicated that he intends to preserve City's established footballing identity, with the club's style one of the factors that attracted him back.
"I think the club wants to keep playing the same style of football, and that is one of the reasons I'm here," he said. "Our aim is to do what matters most in football: win trophies and achieve important things. "
Maresca banking on City familiarity
The 46-year-old will not be entering an entirely unfamiliar environment. Having previously worked at City, Maresca already knows much of the staff and has relationships within the club.
He believes that familiarity can make the transition into one of the biggest managerial jobs in English football considerably smoother.
"It's always easier when you join a club where you already have connections and know people inside the building," Maresca said. "I know most of the staff here. "
He added that there are also several players in the current squad whom he knows from his previous time at the club.
"In terms of the squad, I will probably find four or five players from the last time I was here. It's a big help for any manager when you already know the leadership group, the players, and the people around the club. "
Maresca looks back on City's historic treble
Maresca also reflected on the 2022-23 campaign, when City completed the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
For the new manager, the significance of that season extended beyond the three trophies, with the atmosphere around the club and the relationship between the team and supporters leaving a lasting impression.
"The 2022-23 season was incredible for many reasons. Not just because of the trophies we won, but also because of the whole experience," Maresca said.
He recalled City's decisive home matches against Arsenal and Liverpool towards the end of the campaign, highlighting the role played by the supporters as the team pushed towards the treble.
"The way the fans pushed the team and the atmosphere inside the stadium was unbelievable," he said. "Those games were intense, and you could feel the belief growing with every win. "
The campaign eventually culminated in a victory parade, with Maresca remembering the celebrations across Manchester as a defining moment.
"That was a fantastic feeling. It was an important journey for sure, and it showed what this club is capable of. "
Now, as he begins his own chapter in the City dugout, Maresca faces the task of translating that winning culture into another era.
His message is clear: the standards established under Guardiola are not being lowered, with trophies remaining the ultimate measure of success.
