Maresca says managing Manchester City is a ‘privilege’ but admits it’s a challenge to succeed Guardiola Manchester City

Enzo Maresca said succeeding Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager was a “privilege” but admitted he knew successors Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger had struggled at Manchester United and Arsenal.

Maresca took over at City last month and, in his first press conference in the role, said he understood the challenge of replacing Guardiola, who won 17 major trophies in a decade in charge to become the greatest manager of all time.

The Italian said: “First of all, I have to say it’s an honor because the team decided to look for me.” I have said many times that I consider Pep to be probably the best coach in the world in the last 20, 25 years.

Maresca showed how United had sunk when David Moyes replaced Ferguson, who had been in charge for 26-and-a-half years, in May 2013. Arsenal also struggled when Wenger left after 22 years in May 2018, to be replaced by Unai Emery.

Maresca said: “It’s a challenge. It’s good. Also, the history of a long-term manager at one club has been struggling a bit. After Sir Alex, after Arsène. But again, it’s a challenge to try to do the right things quickly for this organization, for the fans, for everyone.”

Maresca believes that City’s structure gives him a good chance of success. “The organization is the most important thing. This club, this organization, they have had three managers in 17 years,” he said of Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini. “This is unusual, it doesn’t happen often.

“I am confident that we can do a very good job. We can continue to do the job that has been done since Roberto was here, then Manuel and for 10 years Pep.”

Maresca confirmed that Rodri will undergo surgery on Monday, so he will miss the start of the season. City’s new manager was asked if the 30-year-old’s future remains at the club, with Real Madrid considering a move for the player.

“First of all, with great players there is always speculation,” said Maresca. “I’m not worried about that, because they are too.” [Spain] he won the World Cup and he was the best player or one of the best players, I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player.

“But now he’s having surgery, I think, on Monday. He needs a vacation, to rest. After that he’ll be back here with us.”

The 46-year-old manager added that James Trafford, the second-placed goalkeeper interested in Leeds, and Jack Grealish, who returned to City after last season’s loan spell at Everton, could both leave.

Maresca said: “Jack, at the moment, is a Man City player, I’ve always said the same – in any team I join, I like to know if there are players who are members of the team, it’s my job to try to train them. Then we’ll see what happens.

“I know James because he was my goalkeeper when I was in the City Under-23s [in 2020-21]. But then again, if the transfer window is open now, in January, anything can happen. So we see. But for now, he is one of our keepers.”