Enzo Maresca has quickly shown why Manchester City were so eager for him to succeed Pep Guardiola

Enzo Maresca has quickly shown why Manchester City were so eager for him to succeed Pep Guardiola Manchester City have now won five consecutive matches in all competitions after their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday. City’s derby win was a special triumph by their players and for Enzo Maresca. Across the five games that City have won, you can see Enzo Maresca’s blueprint coming to life. Yesterday, Maresca managed superbly in the face of adversity . It is only early in the Maresca era but it is easy to see why City were so eager to appoint Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor. The belief of Enzo Maresca that Manchester City could win with ten men carried through to the player. Speaking after Manchester City pulled off a famous 1-0 win over Manchester United with ten men, Enzo Maresca told the media that he maintained full belief that his team could win despite the fact they were down to ten men after Phil Foden was sent off in the 23rd minute. He explained: “ The message at half-time I said to the players was the game was more difficult for us – but also more difficult for them. ” “ So keep believing we can win the game. Believe, stay in the game and we can win this game. ” “ To win with 10 men is already special, but it was even more special when it’s a Manchester derby for the fans, for the players and the coaching staff. ” The role of a manager is to get his players to believe in his vision, no matter what the situation of a match is. Enzo Maresca did this yesterday at Old Trafford. Maresca didn’t panic after Foden’s dismissal. He found a system that suited the occasion. His halftime move to replace Rayan Cherki with Iliman Ndiaye was a masterstroke. It gave Manchester City an out ball in the second half where City could attack when the opportunity arose with ten men. It ultimately led to Erling Haaland’s winning goal and that substitution did change yesterday’s game. Of course, the Manchester City players had to rise to the occasion after Phil Foden was sent off. Each City player did that. This City side showed that they are a resolute and determined group. They are winners and each player on the pitch stepped up for the cause at Old Trafford yesterday. Enzo Maresca’s belief that his team could still win with ten men flowed through to the players. That is the job of a manager and Maresca nailed it yesterday. Why City wanted Enzo Maresca to replace Pep Guardiola is clear to see. Manchester City identified Enzo Maresca as their preferred manager to replace Pep Guardiola midway through last season. The Italian manager was City’s preferred target and they pulled out all the stops to get him. Maresca walked away from his post as Chelsea manager midway through last season. After protracted negotiations over the compensation package that Chelsea were due for Maresca’s departure, City got their man. After five matches this season, it is clear to see why City wanted Maresca. The Manchester City players have quickly brought into Maresca’s methods. This stands out watching City play. It was impossible to miss yesterday when the 199th Manchester derby seemingly turned in Manchester United’s favour. Also, Maresca has shown in City’s past two matches against FC Porto and Manchester United that he is a quality tactician. Enzo Maresca has nailed all of his substitutions and tactical tweaks in game. Maresca is an astute operator in the dugout. Across the first five games that City have played, and subsequently won, this fact has been impossible to miss. It speaks to Maresca’s acumen and quick ability to adapt his system that he is making such quality changes in games. Enzo Maresca has also implemented a system that suits his players and that is also a big factor in why Manchester City have made such a strong start to life under Maresca. Enzo Maresca was Manchester City’s first-choice to replace Pep Guardiola. Across five games this season, he has shown why. Manchester City have made a strong start to the 2026-27 season. They have given themselves a platform to launch into the season from. There will be challenges that will come for Enzo Maresca to navigate. They haven’t arrived yet while City are winning. But they will come and it will not be a surprise to see Maresca navigate through them given the strong start he has made as Manchester City manager.