Frank Lampard has heaped praise on Enzo Maresca ahead of his Coventry City side’s trip to face Manchester City, hailing the “very good career” of the man tasked with succeeding Pep Guardiola.
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Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium this weekend in buoyant mood, hosting newly promoted Coventry City on Saturday afternoon as they look to maintain their perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Enzo Maresca’s side have won each of their opening two fixtures, snatching a late victory against Bournemouth before a commanding display away at Crystal Palace, and will start as heavy favourites against a Coventry team still searching for their first point back in the top flight.
For the visitors, the return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence has been a chastening one so far, and few are backing Frank Lampard’s men to spring a surprise on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, though, the Coventry boss - who spent a season in Manchester City colours himself back in 2014/15 - was in a generous mood when the subject turned to his opposite number.
Lampard hails Maresca’s ‘very good career’
Speaking to reporters during his pre-match press conference, Frank Lampard offered nothing but warm words for Maresca, revealing he has been keeping a close eye on the Italian’s rise - particularly during his time in charge at Chelsea, where Lampard is a legend.
“He’s had a very, very good career,” Lampard said. “I’ve followed his career path and obviously when he goes to Chelsea I follow it slightly more closely.
“Nothing but good things to say in terms of him as a coach, he’s had a very good career and goes into what is a tough job, to follow one of the greatest managers we’ve ever seen in Pep Guardiola. That’s not easy.”
Frank Lampard, who made a total of 38 appearances across competitions for Manchester City under Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, backed Enzo Maresca to thrive given the tools at his disposal.
“Absolutely I see that side of it, but also very good foundations for him to continue his good work with the team, the quality he’s got there,” he added.
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Those tools have grown sharper since the victory at Selhurst Park. City rounded off a hectic transfer window by completing deals for Allan, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez, adding firepower to a squad already altered by earlier arrivals of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
There could be as many as three debuts for the home side as Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and company aim to build on an excellent showing against the Eagles.
Manchester City ran out 4-1 victors against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night to make it six points from six for Enzo Maresca in the Premier League.
cityxtra.co.uk Five Things Learned: Crystal Palace 1-4 Man City (Premier League) Manchester City ran out 4-1 victors against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night to make it six points from six for Enzo Maresca in the Premier League.
August’s win over Bournemouth was fraught with tension, and the added weight of it being Enzo Maresca’s first game at the Etihad Stadium did not exactly allow the home faithful to get the best look at what their new manager is trying to do with his side.
Having had more time to settle in, Manchester City fans will be hopeful of a more fluid showing this time as well as the all-important three points.
Frank Lampard is already one of a short list of names to be involved in a Premier League fixture at the Etihad as both a player and a manager, but Enzo Maresca's men will be determined to ensure the former England midfielder doesn't make any more happy Manchester memories this weekend.