Enzo Maresca will not be hoping for a points deduction to ease pressure at Manchester City, according to ex-defender Joleon Lescott. The new manager faces the monumental task of replacing Pep Guardiola, who spent a decade at the Etihad winning 20 trophies before departing last summer.
City remain under investigation for over 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations, with a verdict expected in the coming months. Speculation around potential punishments ranges from transfer bans to hefty fines, with points deductions among the possibilities. Some have suggested that removing points might actually relieve title pressure on Maresca as he settles into the role.
Maresca Must Chase Titles, Not Excuses
Lescott, who won two Premier League titles during his City tenure, swiftly dismissed the notion that Maresca would welcome such relief. Speaking exclusively to GOAL, the former defender was emphatic: "He hasn't joined City, and City haven't appointed him to not win trophies, and not be challenging at the top of the table. So in regards to points deductions, I hope it's minimal, if any."
Maresca, who previously worked as an assistant under Guardiola at City, later found success at Chelsea where he won the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. His appointment signals City's confidence that the club has insulated itself from overdependence on a single manager. Unlike Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsenal following Arsene Wenger, City deliberately avoided making Guardiola the sole architect of the club's infrastructure.
City Better Positioned Than United and Arsenal
Lescott highlighted a critical distinction: "The club haven't allowed Pep to control every factor of the club. He controls a lot, he has a lot of say in a lot of things, but I'm sure there's a lot of things he doesn't involve himself in, because there was preparing for life after Pep." This deliberate separation of powers means City's transition carries less turbulence than previous managerial changes at rival clubs.
The Premier League title race remains wide open heading into the 2025-26 season. Lescott believes Arsenal hold the strongest hand given squad continuity and managerial stability, while Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United all navigate fresh coaching appointments. City's strength lies in their institutional preparation and squad depth, not in hoped-for regulatory mishaps. Maresca will be expected to challenge immediately regardless of the FFP outcome.
