First impressions
Enzo Maresca has made his first visit to Manchester City's training ground this week, with the new manager beginning work despite no official announcement from the club.
The 46-year-old Italian arrived in Manchester after sporting director Hugo Viana finalised an eight-figure compensation package with Chelsea earlier this month. That deal secured Maresca as Pep Guardiola's permanent successor following weeks of legal and administrative negotiations.
Data-driven preparations
According to The Mirror's Jeremy Cross, Maresca has been studying data belonging to each member of his squad. The aim is to devise pre-season training sessions for when the first-team returns from summer holidays and World Cup duty.
A significant portion of the roster remains involved stateside at the ongoing World Cup, but Maresca has used the time to get used to his new surroundings at the City Football Academy.
Meetings and planning ahead
Next week, the new boss is expected to meet senior Manchester City figures to discuss what will be expected of him during his tenure at the Etihad.
A formal sit-down between Maresca, Viana, Ferran Soriano and potentially chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak may establish minimum performance targets for the 2026/27 campaign. The same meeting is expected to finalise remaining summer transfer movements.
The club's hierarchy is currently balancing a number of moving components, including an interest in Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto and tracking Lille's Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Record signing already wrapped up
The board has moved with considerable financial muscle to provide Maresca with a statement signing. City wrapped up a club-record £116 million agreement for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this week. The Englishman is expected to undergo a medical in Kansas City on Sunday within England's World Cup camp.
Pre-season tour
Detailed planning is essential given City are set to take a long-haul flight to Hong Kong and South Korea for pre-season exhibition matches later this summer. The tour kicks off against Inter Milan on August 1.
An official public unveiling is expected within the coming days. The Premier League season begins against Bournemouth on August 23.