What are the four challenges facing new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca?

With pretty big shoes to fill, former Guardiola assistant and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will take charge of the Premier League giants on a three-year deal. 

It's no secret that the Italian will struggle to replicate the success and legacy Guardiola has left at the Etihad, but he does have the resources available to ensure City continue to be a footballing force in England and Europe. 

As Maresca settles into life in east Manchester, here are four problems he needs to solve ahead of City's first game of the season against Bournemouth on August 23. 

Stepping out of Guardiola's shadow

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Just like Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from cross-city rivals Manchester United 13 years ago, whoever took the City job following Guardiola's exit would be handed a poisoned chalice. 

Guardiola brought unprecedented success to City, from Premier League titles to the club's first-ever Champions League triumph, and Maresca will be expected to deliver trophies. 

As a former assistant of Guardiola's, some of his ideas on and off the pitch will be similar, but he will want to mould this City team in his own image. 

While Maresca will have the confidence he can do this, it's another challenge to convince this City squad that he is the right man to take them forward.

Urging key City players to stay

The chance to work with Guardiola was a big selling point to any prospective City signing, but unfortunately, Maresca does not have that same pulling power. 

Some of City's rivals will no doubt be sniffing around some of their star players and tempt them away from the Etihad, and already rumours are gathering pace. 

Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder Rodri and defender Ruben Dias being linked to Real Madrid are prominent ones, so it is now up to Maresca to gain the trust of the biggest characters in the dressing room, and stop the big names from moving to pastures new. 

But if some of City's big names do end up leaving before Maresca's first league game in charge, then he will already be on the back foot in a period of uncertainty for City. 

Deciding what to do next with Phillips and Grealish

There is also a question as to what is next for midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish. 

The two England internationals have been phased out of the City squad in recent seasons and found themselves on loan deals with seemingly no route back to their parent club. 

However, the arrival of Maresca and a fresh pair of eyes could change all that. He will have been watching these players from afar, and may see a role for one of, or even both, in his squad. 

Regardless, Maresca needs to speak with Phillips and Grealish about their respective futures at City, and if they are to leave, not stop them from resurrecting their respective careers, which have gone stale. 

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Getting City fans onside

It was not just on the pitch where Guardiola charmed City fans, his demeanour off it made him a godlike figure. 

Maresca does not have the same outgoing personality as Guardiola, but he will need to be more expressive when speaking with the media. 

Towards the end of his tenure at Chelsea, Maresca was at a low ebb as a result of his frustrations with the hierarchy at the London club. 

At City, there is a much more collaborative relationship between the manager and the boardroom, which could make Maresca more relaxed. 

If the Italian is able to show his full personality and buys not only into the club, but also the city of Manchester and its culture, he will have City fans singing his name in quick time.

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