Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol believes new manager Enzo Maresca is the right man to succeed Pep Guardiola, although he accepts the transition will take time.
Maresca has signed a three-year contract to take charge at City after Guardiola ended his trophy-laden decade at the club at the conclusion of last season.
The 46-year-old Italian previously guided Leicester to the Championship title and Chelsea to the Club World Cup. He took charge of Manchester City for the first time in Saturday’s friendly against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, which City lost on penalties.
“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 says players sensed Guardiola’s departure
Guardiola announced his decision to leave in the final week of the season, following months of speculation about his future.
Gvardiol missed five months of the campaign after breaking a bone in his right leg in January. He returned to feature twice in May.
The Croatia international said the timing of Guardiola’s announcement was appropriate, despite the possibility that some players may have preferred to know sooner.
“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.”
Guardiola had initially remained in charge for the 2024-25 season, giving City another opportunity to challenge for silverware after a difficult period in which they went 13 matches without a victory two seasons ago.
Ruben Dias a leading captaincy candidate
Manchester City must also appoint a new captain after Bernardo Silva left the club to join Real Madrid when his contract expired.
Ruben Dias and Rodri are among the leading candidates to take over the armband. Dias is one of City’s established leaders, while Rodri captained Spain to World Cup glory.
Experienced defender John Stones has also departed, joining Inter on a free transfer.
Gvardiol played in all four of Croatia’s matches at this summer’s World Cup, with their campaign ending in a painful last-32 defeat by Portugal after a late equaliser was ruled out by the video assistant referee. Dias represented Portugal in that match.
Gvardiol has committed his own future to City by signing a new five-year contract last week. Asked about the club’s leadership group, he said Dias was likely to take on an even greater 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.”
