Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol believes new manager Enzo Maresca is the “perfect one” to succeed Pep Guardiola, although he accepts the club will need time to adjust to a new era.
Maresca has been given the difficult task of replacing Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season after a trophy-laden 10-year spell in charge.
The Italian has signed a three-year contract with City after previously leading Leicester City to the Championship title and Chelsea to the Club World Cup.
Maresca took charge of City for the first time on Saturday in a friendly against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat.
“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 and try to adapt as quickly 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 missed five months of last season after breaking a bone in his right leg in January. He returned to action twice in May.
There had been speculation throughout the campaign that Guardiola might leave City, with indications of a possible departure before the Spaniard confirmed his decision during the final week of the season.
Gvardiol said Guardiola’s timing had been right, despite some people believing the manager could have announced his plans earlier.
“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.”
Gvardiol played in all four of Croatia’s matches at this summer’s World Cup, where they suffered a painful last-32 defeat by Portugal. Croatia had a late equaliser ruled out by the video assistant referee.
City team-mate Ruben Dias played for Portugal in that match, while midfielder Rodri captained Spain to World Cup victory.
Dias and Rodri are among the candidates to become City’s next captain following the departure of Bernardo Silva. Silva left to join Real Madrid after his contract expired, while experienced defender John Stones moved to Inter on a free transfer.
Gvardiol will remain at the Etihad Stadium after signing a new five-year deal last week.
Asked about the club’s emerging leadership group, the Croatia defender said he expected Dias to have a central role.
“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.”
