AS he made his way from his family home in Italy to his new place in Manchester last month, Enzo Maresca stopped off in Barcelona.
There he spent a few hours chatting and picking the brains of his old boss Pep Guardiola in the Spanish sunshine.
Enzo Maresca as Manchester City’s new head coach in June Credit: AP
The Italian replaces his former mentor Pep Guardiola at the Etihad helm Credit: REX
Maresca has come to the Etihad determined to be his own man as he tackles the ‘impossible job’ of taking over from one of the all-time greats.
In some ways, he wanted to arrive in the North West with an ‘empty’ mind – to see things clearly with his own eyes.
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But when your predecessor has just completed one of the most incredible eras in English football history and he happens to be a close personal friend, why would you not use him?
So the two old friends spent some time chatting about the new look squad that Pep has assembled over the last couple of seasons.
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What kind of characters are they, how do they react when they are left out, who are the good guys in the squad and which players have lost their way in recent seasons.
Maresca found it invaluable as he settles into his new role – but does not plan to bother Pep very often as he enjoys some downtime.
He said: “Our meeting was in Barcelona. It was a day before I came here.
“I went from where I live to Barcelona and then on to Manchester.
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Enzo Maresca learned a lot for Pep Guardiola during his time at the Etihad Credit: GETTY
He got to pick his old bosses’ brain during a recent visit to Barcelona Credit: GETTY
“We spent some hours together.
“We had planned before the season finished here to spend some time in the summer holidays together.
“He was here for 10 years – so it was useful for me.
“I like to go in empty sometimes to see things for myself – but he was here so long, he has his opinions.
“But also you have to arrive and see things for yourself, see all the picture.”
He has already changed things around at the City Football Academy – moving himself into the office previously occupied by the assistant.
Meanwhile Guardiola’s old office from the last 10 years has been turned into a meeting room as the new guy looks to put his own stamp on things.
While Pep famously lived in the city centre, Maresca will move his wife and four children into the Cheshire countryside.
Yet the man who was nicknamed ‘Diet Pep’ not long ago knows comparisons are inevitable.
He was relaxed and all-smiles as he met with the media at City’s team hotel in Seoul during their three match Far East tour.
He said: “It’s something that I know – after 10 games, if we’ve got 10 points, 20 points, 30 points.
“People will be comparing it to Pep after 10 games.
“But it’s something – it is what it is. It doesn’t put pressure on me.
“I said many times while I was at Leicester or Chelsea, he’s the best manager in the world over he last 15 or 20 years.
Enzo Maresca has gigantic boots to fill at Manchester City following Pep Guardiola’s departure Credit: Getty
The Italian insists it’s a ‘privilege’ to be the main brought into replace the iconic manager Credit: Getty
“When he started in Spain, everyone wanted to play like Barcelona, he moved to Germany everyone wanted to play like Bayern, he comes to England and everyone wants to play like City.
“Someone asked me if it’s the impossible job to follow him – maybe but at the same time it’s a privilege.”
Maresca has been assured by Guardiola their friendship will not be affected – even if the new man has a few words to say in public about what he has inherited.
He also knows he can pick up the phone at any time – but has promised he will try to use the option sparingly.
The ex Leicester boss said: “He will be there but he has to enjoy his holiday. He has to relax so the idea is not to be calling him all the time.
“You have to decide which moments are the right time to pick up the phone and talk to him.
“Ever since I was here the first time with the EDS, the relationship has been always very good and that will not change.”
City fans are still getting used to the idea of talking about Guardiola in the past tense after 10 incredible years with him at the helm.
They won 17 major trophies and three Community Shields in that time and it is an era of English football that will be talked about for many years to come.
Maresca knows all about it – having twice been a part of it – and says City fans have grown used to moving on.
He said: “We’ve lost Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake and John Stones. Rodri has been here for a lot of years too. They are players who were here for many years.
“But at the end there is always a changeover of generation.
“I still remember when David Silva was here – and everyone was worried but Kevin De Bruyne stepped up. Fernandinho left – Rodri came in.
“Then there was Kun Aguero – people were worried but Erling arrived. It’s normal that there’s change.”
