Seoul: New Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca expressed his desire for continuous improvement from his Premier League team during their visit to Seoul this week for a two-match trip.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Maresca and Manchester City are set to play two preseason matches in the South Korean capital as part of the fifth annual Coupang Play Series. The first match is scheduled against Team K League on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium, followed by a face-off with Spanish club Atletico Madrid on Sunday at the same venue.
Man City commenced their Asian tour with a challenging 3-1 loss to Inter Milan in a penalty shootout in Hong Kong. Maresca, who assumed the head coach role in June, replacing Pep Guardiola, shared his thoughts during a press conference at a Seoul hotel shortly after arriving in South Korea.
The Italian coach acknowledged areas for improvement from the Inter Milan match but was satisfied with the execution of strategies that the team had been developing during preseason training. Maresca emphasized the importance of the upcoming games in Seoul, stating, "The reason is just because we need, game after game, to see how the team is getting better and better." Winning remains a priority, but observing the team's progress is equally crucial.
Despite Seoul being under the highest-level heat wave warning, Maresca remained unfazed by the challenging conditions, stating, "It is not something that I am worried (about) because we need to train, we need to play games." He emphasized adapting to the weather while focusing on improvement.
Several key players, including Rodri and Erling Haaland, did not travel to South Korea due to mandatory rest following their participation in the FIFA World Cup. However, Maresca still has a talented squad, including Phil Foden, who won the Professional Footballers' Association Men's Players' Player of the Year award in 2024.
Foden, who has been with Manchester City since 2017, expressed excitement about working with the new coaching staff and looks forward to a promising season. He acknowledged his evolving leadership role, stating, "I think I will have to be one of the leaders this season. I am looking forward to that new responsibility and trying to take leadership."
This marks Manchester City's first visit to South Korea since the 2023 Coupang Play Series. The club has achieved significant success, securing 10 Premier League titles, with four victories since 2020, along with a domestic double in the past season by winning the FA Cup and the League Cup.