Gary Neville believes Enzo Maresca faces enormous pressure at Manchester City, insisting that nothing short of success will be tolerated as the Italian prepares to take charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City’s demanding environment, having spent the 2022-23 season as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant coaches during the club’s historic treble-winning campaign.

The Italian also returns to Manchester with silverware to his name after a successful spell at Chelsea, where he guided the Blues to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs during his only full season at Stamford Bridge.

However, Neville believes the expectations at City are on an entirely different level.

“Nothing less than winning is going to be accepted at Manchester City with what has gone on at the club over the last 10 years,” Neville told Sky Sports News.

The former England defender noted that City’s remarkable success under Guardiola has created a culture where trophies are expected every season, placing immediate pressure on Maresca to maintain those standards.

While Maresca understands the club’s philosophy and methods from his time as Guardiola’s assistant, he now faces the challenge of leading one of Europe’s biggest clubs in his own right.

His appointment marks his first managerial role in the north-west, and the transition from assistant coach to the man making the final decisions will inevitably attract intense scrutiny.

Despite his recent achievements at Chelsea, Maresca inherits a squad accustomed to competing for the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups every season.

With Guardiola’s era having established Manchester City as one of world football’s dominant forces, the new manager enters a role where success is not merely desired—it is expected.