Manchester City enter yet another week without Enzo Maresca being confirmed as their new head coach. The former Leicester and Chelsea boss, also a former City assistant, is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola. It should be a matter of time before he holds the sky blue scarf aloft.
When he does eventually arrive, Maresca will be keen to get straight to work. Guardiola may have left, but the target for City remains the same: win the Premier League.
In the 2024/25 season, the Blues were transitioning and not competitive. This season, they took the title race to the final week. But coming a close second to Arsenal is not the success that Guardiola urged City to continue during his farewell speech.
If City are to reclaim the title, there are a number of issues the new head coach must address first.
1. Rodri
The World Cup may provide fans with a much needed football fix, but City and Maresca would undoubtedly have preferred it not to be on the agenda. Rodri is just one player whose future plans are on hold until after the summer tournament.
Spain’s star man insists he knows “exactly where he stands” on his future but will not discuss it until after the World Cup. While understandable, it makes life difficult for City.
It seems City have, at most, 12 months to adequately replace a player so fundamental to their playing style for seven years. If he has decided he wants to leave this summer, Maresca has a choice to make involving the next man.
2. Nico Gonzalez
Rodri’s lengthy absence during the 2024/25 season forced Guardiola and City’s hand in the January 2025 window. Gonzalez was signed to fill the gap. While he did well as the Blues resurrected their season to qualify for the Champions League, the 24 year old dropped down the pecking order this term.
Since the turn of the year, when Rodri returned to full fitness, Gonzalez has become a distant second or even third or fourth choice. He was not selected in the matchday squads for the crucial games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
It is not too late for the Spaniard to resurrect his City career. But Maresca must consider whether he is the man to trust should Rodri leave, or if a new signing is required.
3. Josko Gvardiol
Gvardiol’s contract situation is less of an immediate concern. The versatile Croatian defender has two years remaining on his deal. However, City would like to tie him down for longer, but those negotiations have not concluded yet.
This has buoyed the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who could look to prise him away. The 24 year old appears to be happy at City but looks to be keeping his options open.
If Maresca wants him to be part of his long term plans, he needs to sit down with Gvardiol as a matter of urgency.
4. James Trafford
Nobody will have been pleased to see Guardiola leave City, but Trafford would be lying if he did not admit that it at least unlocks a door for him. It has been well documented how this season has not lived up to his expectations.
He started the campaign as the undisputed first choice, but by the end of the summer transfer window, he was relegated to cup goalkeeper. Trafford could not have done much more to boost his reputation when he did play, City won both domestic cups but being first choice will be his aim for this season.
Maresca must decide whether Gianluigi Donnarumma will remain City’s first choice or if Trafford has a chance to win that spot back. Had Guardiola stayed, leaving would have been guaranteed. But a new head coach could give the England international a lifeline.
5. Phil Foden
Unlike all those mentioned above, Foden does not leave City second guessing where his mind is at. The boyhood supporter would love to stay at the Etihad indefinitely.
But this season was tough for Foden, and the 26 year old has now entered the final year of his contract. City want him to sign a new deal, and while that is expected to be a formality, nothing has been confirmed.
If Foden is to stay, Maresca needs to find a way of tapping into the player that City fans know he can be. Missing out on the World Cup could be a blessing in disguise. But 2026/27 needs to be his year.
The bottom line
Maresca hasn’t even been officially appointed yet. But the problems are already piling up.
Rodri’s future. Gonzalez’s role. Gvardiol’s contract. Trafford’s ambition. Foden’s form.
Five issues. One summer. A new head coach who needs to hit the ground running.
City don’t do transition seasons. They do titles. And Maresca will be expected to deliver one immediately.
The Guardiola era is over. The Maresca era is about to begin. And the clock is already ticking.
