Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol believes new manager Enzo Maresca is the right person to lead the club after Pep Guardiola’s departure.
Maresca has taken over following Guardiola’s 10 year spell in charge. The Italian signed a three year contract after successful spells with Leicester City and Chelsea.
He managed his first City match on Saturday as the Premier League side lost to Inter Milan on penalties in Hong Kong.
Gvardiol said Maresca deserves the opportunity.
“The level is that high and he has been chosen with reason as the manager.”
“I think he has a quality, has some new ideas and also we need to see what we are going to do, 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.”
The Croatian defender also revealed he has already spoken with Maresca.
“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 also reflected on Guardiola’s departure. The Spanish manager stepped down at the end of last season after leading City for a decade.
“Some would say he could have told us earlier, some would say not.”
“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.”
Gvardiol also spoke about the club’s next captain after Bernardo Silva left and John Stones joined Inter.
He believes Ruben Dias is the leading candidate.
“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.”
