Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol backs Enzo Maresca as ideal manager

By Megan Sinclair — 3 August 2026 — 4 min read

Maresca’s Vision and Player Adaptation

Josko Gvardiol, the Manchester City defender, has voiced his support for new manager Enzo Maresca, describing him as the “perfect” choice to lead the club. Maresca took over this summer following Pep Guardiola‘s departure after a decade-long tenure. Early indications from the training ground suggest the squad is in full support of the appointment, despite the significant change in leadership.

Gvardiol expressed confidence in the club’s decision-making process regarding Maresca’s selection. He noted that Maresca possesses quality and new ideas, and the team needs time to adapt to his style of play, football tactics, and overall approach. The Croatian international acknowledged that adapting to a different tactical approach will require time, especially with a squad currently affected by post-World Cup breaks. Gvardiol highlighted the players’ responsibility to help the new head coach settle in quickly before the competitive season begins.

During an interview, Gvardiol mentioned that the transition is “totally new” and changing managers is not easy. He emphasised the players’ role in assisting Maresca and adapting as swiftly as possible. Gvardiol also shared that he had a brief discussion with Maresca about his injury and how he previously played under Guardiola.

Maresca, who served as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 treble-winning season, has been keen to establish his own distinct philosophy. He has stated that while there might be some similar concepts, every manager is unique and cannot simply “copy and paste” another’s approach. Maresca explained at his official unveiling that he does not view football in the same way as others, reinforcing his commitment to implementing his own vision at the Etihad Stadium.

Tactical Approach and Winger Roles

An insight into Maresca’s tactical approach, particularly concerning wingers, emerged from Antoine Semenyo following Manchester City‘s first pre-season friendly against Inter Milan. Semenyo, Savinho, and Ryan McAidoo demonstrated their capabilities on the wings during the match at the Kai Tak Stadium, showcasing their ability to run at and beat opponents.

Semenyo elaborated on Maresca’s expectations for his wingers, stating that the wide players are intended to be a crucial attacking asset. He noted that Maresca had effectively utilised wingers during his previous managerial roles at Leicester City and Chelsea, a trend expected to continue at Manchester City. Semenyo recalled observing Maresca’s deployment of wingers while he was manager at Chelsea, where wide players were positioned high and wide, enjoying considerable freedom.

This approach, which creates overloads in the middle of the pitch, provides Maresca’s wingers with the space to excel in one-on-one situations. Semenyo expressed his excitement about this opportunity, anticipating frequent one-on-one encounters during games. He also confirmed having individual meetings with Maresca to discuss the team’s setup, playing style, and the roles of the wide players.

Semenyo highlighted that Maresca’s ideas are “great” and bear some similarities to Guardiola’s, though with a distinct emphasis on wing play. While Guardiola sometimes varied his wingers’ positions, Maresca’s primary instruction is for them to stay wide and create opportunities. This role is seen as particularly suitable for players like Semenyo, Ryan McAidoo, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki.

The performance of Semenyo, Savinho, and Ryan McAidoo against Inter Milan in Hong Kong reflected Maresca’s tactics, as they found ample space to operate and posed a constant threat to the opposition defence. This suggests that providing wide space for wingers will be a consistent feature of Manchester City‘s matches in the upcoming season.

Long-Term Commitment and Squad Dynamics

Gvardiol’s public endorsement of Maresca is significant, particularly as the defender recently committed his long-term future to Manchester City. He signed a new contract that extends his stay at the Etihad until 2031, indicating his willingness to play a key defensive role under the new leadership. This commitment provides stability for the club as it transitions from the Guardiola era.

Gvardiol expressed that he immediately knew he wanted to renew his contract once he learned of Manchester City‘s interest. He praised the club’s fans for their support and acknowledged that the club provides comprehensive resources for its players, affirming his belief that it is the “best club in the world.”

The team’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan also highlighted areas for squad adaptation under Maresca. While Antoine Semenyo impressed, suggesting he could thrive in Maresca’s wide system by tormenting defenders and setting up Divin Mubama‘s goal, the match also underscored the need for a holding midfielder. Players like Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders reportedly appeared uncomfortable deep in midfield before Nico Gonzalez helped restore control later in the game.

Looking ahead, Manchester City is preparing for a friendly against the K League All Stars, with players such as Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and Omar Marmoush expected to start following their encouraging displays against Inter Milan. Gvardiol also noted that the team will miss Bernardo Silva after his move to Real Madrid, suggesting that Ruben Dias could take on a more prominent leadership role under Maresca.

Despite a setback concerning Ayyoub Bouaddi, Rodri‘s recovery is reportedly on track. Vitor Reis also strengthened his case for a role in the 1-1 draw with Inter, demonstrating strong possession play, winning aerial duels, and confidently stepping into midfield.

Source: goal.com