Maresca: Understand & Adapt To The Challenge
The Italian spoke to the media in Seagrave on Monday after many of the Club's first team squad returned for pre-season testing. Maresca, who was formerly part of the coaching team at Manchester City, joined last month on a three-year contract.
With City now back in the second tier, their target is clear, a return to the Premier League. Nevertheless, Maresca is eager to plant foundations for years to come, building a resolute squad with a strong work ethic and high technical ability.
"We will try to create the right squad," the former Parma manager said. "This is the first thing. Then we can go day-by-day. We want to have the ball. All the players, when they were born, they were looking for a ball to play, not to not have the ball.
"Our idea is to have the ball as much as we can. I think they enjoy having the ball, not running in behind the opponent. This is the first target. At the same time, we have to adapt. It’s a bit different, Leicester in Premier League, compared to Leicester in the Championship. Every team wants to come here and take points.
"For them, we are probably the most important club in the Championship. I lived this with Man City. Everyone goes there to take points. Exactly the same will happen for us so we have to be ready."
'We Have To Be Ready For The Challenge'
Manager Enzo Maresca speaks to the media for the first time as Leicester City Manager.
After helping Manchester City achieve a remarkable treble of Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Emirates FA Cup successes last term, Maresca made the decision to swap Etihad Stadium for King Power Stadium.
Albeit a difficult call to make, the Italian is delighted to be with the Foxes and embark on a huge professional challenge.
"It’s an unbelievable club," the Manager explained. "For me, personally, it has been a little difficult. Since I joined Man City, we felt, me and my family, part of their family. Personally, it’s not been easy but professionally I had no doubt.
"I consider Leicester an important, a Premier League club. The reality is we are a Championship club, but it was an easy choice for me to join this club."
Maresca knows City will be among the favourites for promotion in 2023/24, but remains relaxed yet focused. Being ready for a variety of styles and players will also be important for the Foxes in the second tier, he says.
"This is one of the targets, to understand and to adapt to the competition," he said. "We all know when you’re used to playing Premier League football and you’re relegated, you need to change things and adapt immediately. The opponent doesn’t see you like a normal opponent. In the Championship, they see you as a big opponent, so you have to be ready and adapt.
"I know we all want to hear that the target is there. To be honest, I’m not stressed. I’m completely relaxed. Day by day, we will try to build a good squad and we’ll see what happens. To see what happens in May is too far away."