Josko Gvardiol has backed Enzo Maresca to make his mark at Manchester City, insisting the new manager has the quality and ideas to succeed Pep Guardiola — though he acknowledges the transition will take time. The Croatian defender, who signed a new five-year deal at the club last week, spoke warmly of his early conversations with Maresca ahead of what promises to be a significant period of change at the club.
Maresca signed a three-year deal to take charge, having previously won the Championship title with Leicester and the Club World Cup with Chelsea. Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season after a decade at the helm, and Gvardiol believes the timing of that announcement was handled correctly. “The level is that high and he has been chosen with reason as the manager,” Gvardiol said of Maresca. “I think he has a quality, has some new ideas and also we need to see what we are going to do with the style of play, the football we are going to play and the tactics. I think he is a perfect one, but of course, it takes time.”
Gvardiol admitted the squad are aware of the adjustment required after so long under one manager. “It’s not easy to change the manager, so we will take time,” he said. “It’s our job to help him as much as possible and also to listen to try to adapt as quick as possible.” The defender revealed Maresca has already spoken to him individually, with their early discussions covering his injury and how he played under Guardiola.
Gvardiol missed five months of last season after sustaining a broken bone in his right leg in January, returning to play twice in May. Reflecting on Guardiola’s exit, he said the timing of the announcement worked in the players’ favour. “I think it was perfect timing because it can affect you mentally if he would have said it earlier,” Gvardiol said. “We knew at some point he has to tell us. He has been here for 10 years and it is time to rest a little bit and retire. We could feel it.”
Gvardiol recalled a turbulent recent period under Guardiola, referencing a run of 13 games without a win two seasons ago, and acknowledged the uncertainty that surrounded last season. “He was in between, about to leave, then he stayed — great because it was another season to try to win something,” he said. He did not entirely close the door on a Guardiola return either, adding: “Who knows with him, maybe after six months when he gets the energy back.”
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
