Josko Gvardiol says Manchester City’s players had already begun to feel that Pep Guardiola’s decade-long reign was coming to an end before the manager confirmed his decision to leave.
Guardiola ended his time at the club after 10 years filled with trophies and major achievements, with Enzo Maresca appointed as his successor. Gvardiol has backed the Italian to lead City into a new era, describing him as the “perfect choice” while warning that the squad will need time to adjust to the changes.
Maresca has signed a three-year contract after impressive spells in management. His achievements include winning the English second-tier Championship with Leicester City and guiding Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Italian took charge of Manchester City for the first time in Saturday’s friendly in Hong Kong, where his side lost to Inter Milan on penalties.
“The level is very high, and he was chosen as the team’s manager for a good reason,” Gvardiol told BBC Sport. “I think he has great ability and new ideas. We also need to see what we can offer in terms of our style of play, the way we want to play football and the tactical plans.”
He added: “I think he is the perfect choice, but it will take some time. Everything is new for us, and changing the manager is not easy, so we will need a period of adaptation. Our job is to help him as much as possible, listen to his instructions and try to adapt as quickly as we can.”
Gvardiol also described his first conversation with Maresca, saying their initial meeting focused on his fitness and his experience under Guardiola.
“I met him and we spoke a little about my injury, our style of play and how I played under Pep Guardiola. That was pretty much everything we discussed,” he said.
Guardiola’s decision
Gvardiol, who missed five months of last season after suffering a broken bone in his right leg in January, said City’s players had anticipated that Guardiola might leave. The Croatia defender returned to action for two matches in May, while speculation about Guardiola’s future continued.
Guardiola eventually announced his departure in the final week of the season.
“Some people think he should have told us his decision earlier, while others think the opposite,” said Gvardiol. “I think the timing was perfect because if he had told us earlier, it might have affected us mentally.”
He continued: “We knew he would tell us his decision at some point. He had spent 10 years here, and it was normal that he might need some rest and time away. We could feel that this moment was getting closer.”
Gvardiol said Guardiola had been undecided about his future during the 2024-25 season before choosing to remain in charge.
“In the 2024-25 season he was unsure whether to stay or leave, and then he decided to continue,” he said. “That was great because it gave us one more season to try to win trophies.”
The defender also referred to a difficult spell two seasons ago, when City went 13 consecutive matches without a victory.
“Unfortunately, the time came for him to leave, but who knows? Maybe he will come back in six months when he has regained his energy,” Gvardiol said.
Who will captain City?
Gvardiol was also asked about Manchester City’s leadership structure for the new campaign following Bernardo Silva’s move to Real Madrid at the end of his contract and John Stones’ free transfer to Inter Milan.
The Croatia international played in all four of his country’s matches at this summer’s World Cup before they were eliminated by Portugal in the last 32. Croatia had a late equaliser disallowed after a VAR intervention.
Manchester City team-mate Ruben Dias played for Portugal in that match, while midfielder Rodri helped Spain win the World Cup. Gvardiol has also committed his future to City by signing a new five-year contract.
Asked who might become the club’s next captain, he said: “It is difficult to talk about this now, and we have to wait and see what happens.”
Gvardiol identified Dias as a leading candidate.
“Ruben Dias is one of the leaders in the team, and he will probably take on that role even more in the coming period. Perhaps he will become the first captain,” he said.
He added: “He will need the support of the players who have spent longer at the club. If I am chosen to take on this responsibility, I will be ready for it.”
