Manchester City have entered a new era.
The Pep Guardiola chapter is over, and Enzo Maresca now carries the responsibility of managing one of the most demanding jobs in European football.
The transition was always going to attract enormous attention.
But after an unconvincing opening victory over Bournemouth, questions are already being asked about whether City can maintain their dominance without Guardiola.
The Guardiola Shadow Is Huge
Few managers have transformed a football club as dramatically as Guardiola did at Manchester City.
His teams dominated possession, controlled matches and regularly challenged for major trophies.
Replacing that influence was never going to be simple.
Maresca therefore faces a difficult task.
He isn’t simply replacing another manager.
He is replacing an era.
City Still Have World-Class Quality
It would be wrong to suggest Manchester City suddenly became an average team.
The squad remains packed with quality.
The club have also invested heavily in young talent, including Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The challenge is turning that talent into another dominant team.
The First Warning Sign?
City opened their league campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory over Bournemouth.
A win is still a win.
But the result did not immediately silence doubts about the transition.
The upcoming match against Crystal Palace therefore becomes an interesting early test.
Maresca Needs His Own Identity
The biggest mistake would be attempting to copy Guardiola.
Maresca must eventually create his own Manchester City.
That requires tactical bravery.
It also requires the supporters to accept that the football may look different.
Can City Still Win the Premier League?
Absolutely.
Writing Manchester City off after one match would be ridiculous.
However, the title race may be closer than it was during Guardiola’s peak years.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will all believe there is an opportunity.
Final Verdict
Manchester City’s biggest opponent this season may not be Arsenal or Liverpool.
It may be the expectation created by Guardiola’s success.
Maresca must convince everyone that City can continue winning without the manager who defined their modern identity.
Is Manchester City already showing signs of decline, or is it far too early to judge the post-Guardiola era?