Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes Enzo Maresca will be supported by the hierarchy at Manchester City – but says if a string of poor results hit them this season, it will be the fans who decide his fate.
Maresca has been buttressed by the arrival of £116 million man Elliot Anderson, and Dixon tipped him to provide value for money if he is able to replace Spain star Rodri, who Dixon suggests may already be in decline as he nears the exit door.
During an exclusive conversation with BestBettingSites, Dixon said of the task Maresca faces in replacing Pep Guardiola at Man City: “It’s an enormous job.
“It’s crucial that he establishes his own identity rather than trying to imitate Pep, because you can’t replace a manager like that directly.
“He has to bring his own tactical plan.”
Maresca on a tightrope
He continued: “Obviously, having worked with Pep, there will be a lot of Guardiola’s influence in his thinking, but the players need to buy into Maresca as his own man.
“If they lose three or four games on the spin early on, people will immediately start questioning him.
“He’s on a tightrope following Pep, that’s for sure.”
When talking about the board’s backing of Maresca, Dixon stated: “All top clubs are the same – if you lose your first four games, the board won’t just say, ‘It’s fine, take your time.’
“City are serial winners.
“The board might try to be patient up to a point because of the massive shoes he has to fill, but it’s the fans who ultimately get a manager sacked.
“If the crowd turns, pressure builds rapidly.”
Daunting task in Manchester
Dixon added: “I was talking to someone about Pep’s brilliant football brain, but I always make the point that everywhere he’s managed – Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man City – he’s had the absolute best players in world football available to him.
“It’s what he does with those players that sets him apart.
“But following that set-up at City after what happened with Maresca at Chelsea is a daunting task.
“You don’t turn down the Manchester City job, though!”
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Anderson in, Rodri out?
Man City signed England midfielder Anderson for a whopping fee this summer after he followed up a fine season with Nottingham Forest by starring for Thomas Tuchel’s team at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Now, Anderson’s arrival has arguably paved the way for Rodri’s Man City departure.
And Dixon discussed the summer signing, saying of the price tag: “You just have to accept current market values.
“If you look at that transfer figure on paper, it looks mad, but the transfer market itself is mad.
“He [Anderson] didn’t set his own price tag.
“I rate him very highly – he’s a unique midfielder in the way he plays, links the play, passes forward and presses aggressively.
“He’s right in your face.
“Declan Rice cost £100 million, so if you want an elite, engine-room player to cover or eventually replace Rodri, that’s the going rate.”
No downside to departure
Barcelona have been heavily linked with Spain battler Rodri, who dazzled as his country became world champions after beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final.
Dixon concluded: “Now that City have signed Elliot Anderson, it’s the perfect transition for him, the club and everyone involved.
“I don’t see a downside.
“People might say they’re letting a world-class midfielder go, but at 31, coming off a major injury, he’s not going to get any better than the peak he’s already hit.
“His value will only decline from here, so getting that deal done while bringing in Anderson makes complete sense for all parties.”
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