Enzo Maresca will address the media this afternoon as he is unveiled as Manchester City head coach
Enzo Maresca will address the media this afternoon as he is unveiled as Manchester City head coach
Enzo Maresca will conduct his first press conference as Manchester City head coach this afternoon.
Maresca was identified as City's preferred replacement for Pep Guardiola once the legendary manager had decided to leave at the end of last season. The Italian left Chelsea at the start of the year with the City job in mind. However, lengthy negotiations with Chelsea regarding compensation prevented a quick appointment.
Maresca was eventually appointed at the end of June and welcomed a mixture of first-team and academy players back to training on Monday.
City jet off on their pre-season tour next week and ahead of that trip Maresca will be quizzed on a number of topics at his first press conference. The futures of Rodri and Jack Grealish could both be on the agenda, as well as his thoughts on replacing the most successful manager in City's history.
You never knew which Guardiola would arrive for a press conference on any given day. Last season, the pre-embargo section of one press conference lasted little more than a couple of minutes. However, the former City boss did provide some brilliant press conference moments and Maresca has been known to do similar. His Chelsea duties saw him produce some incredibly heartfelt segments that provided a glimpse at his feelings behind the scenes.
A repeat of such honesty would endear him to the City fans.
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca(Image: (Gabriele Maltinti - FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images))
There is little interest from City in allowing Rodri to depart. Our colleague Jeremy Cross reported this week that the Blues will look to thwart all Real Madrid attempts to sign Rodri. However, if the midfielder wishes to leave, City may have little but to agree his exit.
Rodri, the captain of Spain, with his hands raised during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium
(Image: Getty Images)
One of the questions likely to be posed to Maresca is around Rodri. The midfielder won the Golden Ball at the World Cup and is currently enjoying a break after the tournament. However, links to Real Madrid persist and City fans will be concerned about the midfielder potentially leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Rodri of Spain during the 2026 World Cup match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026, in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rodri of Spain during the 2026 World Cup match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026, in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Maresca era started this week when the Italian welcomed back a selection of first-team and academy stars for pre-season training.
Maresca arrives with plenty of goodwill from City supporters but there is no denying that he has big shoes to fill. He will conduct his first press conference as City boss today. This will be the first time Maresca has properly addressed the media since taking over from Guardiola and gives him the chance of a proper introduction before the chaos of a pre-season tour and new campaign begins.
It's only natural for some fans to worry given City have said goodbye to the most successful manager in their history, so MEN Sport has taken a look at four ways Maresca can ease City nerves when answering some major questions this afternoon.
Enzo Maresca shall conduct his first press conference as Manchester City head coach this afternoon
Enzo Maresca shall conduct his first press conference as Manchester City head coach this afternoon(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
City's head coach is expected to address the media at 1.30pm this afternoon. Once Maresca sits down, we will bring you everything he has to say.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20:
Enzo Maresca the manager of Chelsea waves to their support after the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Stamford Bridge on January 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Enzo Maresca the manager of Chelsea waves to their support after the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Stamford Bridge on January 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Hello and welcome to coverage of Maresca's first press conference as City head coach. The Italian is only the Blues' eighth permanent boss this century and today is a milestone for this new era. Guardiola's exit at the end of last season leaves Maresca with big shoes to fill.
City's decision-makers agreed that Maresca was the right man to replace the legendary manager. That should give City fans some comfort as they embark on this new adventure.
Today is an opportunity for Maresca to set his stall out. His responses to questions about replacing Guardiola and the futures of some of his City stars will be studied closely, as will his approach to transfers.
City fans can expect to end today with a better understanding of what the next chapter looks like.
Stay tuned for updates...