Josko Gvardiol says new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is a “perfect one” for the club.
Ex-Chelsea manager Maresca has been installed as Man City’s new manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure after 10 hugely successful years in charge at the end of last season.
The Italian, a former assistant to Guardiola at City, has signed a three-year deal at the Etihad, having won the Championship with Leciester and the Club World Cup and Conference League at Chelsea.
And after his first game in charge as City lost to Inter Milan on penalties in Hong Kong, Gvardiol is encouraged by how things have started so far.
“The level is that high and he has been chosen with reason as the manager,” said Gvardiol.
“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. It’s something totally new, it’s not easy to change the manager, so we will take time.
“It’s our job to help him as much as possible and also to listen to try to adapt as quick as possible.
“I met him, we spoke a little bit about my injury [and] also how we played, how I played before with Pep, and that’s it, more or less.”
Gvardiol: ‘We could feel Guardiola exit was coming’
Guardiola’s exit was finally confirmed at the end of the 2025-26 season after speculation throughout the campaign that it could be his final campaign in charge.
And Gvardiol, who missed a significant part of the season through injury, said the players could feel his exit was imminent.
“Some would say he could have told us earlier, some would say not,” said Gvardiol.
“I think it was perfect timing because it can affect you mentally if he would have said it earlier.
“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.
“[The 2024-25 season] he was in between, about to leave, then he stayed – great because it was another season to try to win something. Two seasons ago we struggled, 13 games without winning.
“Unfortunately it was time [for him] to go but who knows with him, maybe after six months when he gets the energy back.”
Dias could be Man City captain
Man City are yet to confirm who will be captain under Maresca next season after Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid. Centre-back Ruben Dias and Spain skipper Rodri are candidates to take on the captain’s armband, and Gvardiol spoke highly of the former’s credentials.
Asked about the club’s leadership group, Gvardiol said: “It’s difficult to tell you about this but we need to see.
“Ruben is one of the leaders in our team and he is probably going to be on the top now – maybe the most important one.
“He will need some guys who have been here for a longer time. So if that’s on me, I will take responsibility.”
