Italian Maresca makes Premier League history, winning first 7 at Manchester City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: A graphic is displayed on the LED screen which reads "Best Ever Start By A Premier League Manager" featuring Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City, after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Ipswich Town at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Italian coach Enzo Maresca has made history as the first manager ever to win his first seven Premier League games, taking on the mantle handed over by Pep Guardiola.

Maresca was chosen for the job at the Etihad when Guardiola decided to step down after a decade in charge of the club, as the pair had already worked together in the 2022/23 campaign.

Since then, the Italian went on to be a head coach in the Championship with Leicester City, then was appointed by Chelsea in the Premier League in the summer of 2024.

He was fired on January 1, 2026, after it became clear that Manchester City had already lined him up for a future role with them.

Maresca perfect Premier League start

That has proved to be an inspired choice, because Maresca has become the first ever manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a club.

It has not been a perfect record on the Manchester City bench, as he lost the debut 3-0 to Arsenal for the Community Shield in August, then was beaten 4-2 at home by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

His Premier League wins were against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Manchester United, Sunderland, Liverpool and Ipswich Town.