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Maresca revealed he reached out to Jeremy Doku to congratulate him on becoming a father during the World Cup.
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The new Manchester City head coach also contacted Phil Foden after he was excluded from England’s World Cup lineup.
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Maresca expressed his desire to support Foden in becoming “the Phil that we all know and love” after a challenging period.
Enzo Maresca has shared that he personally reached out to Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden over the summer, with a clear plan in mind to help Foden regain his form following a tough time for both club and country.
Doku is currently enjoying a holiday after representing Belgium at the FIFA World Cup in North America, following a standout season wearing the Manchester City jersey in Pep Guardiola’s last season at the helm.
Meanwhile, Foden faced exclusion from England manager Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad after experiencing an inconsistent season, despite recently signing a long-term contract with his boyhood club.
Phil Foden signs new Manchester City contract until 2030
Maresca: “I told Phil it’s my duty to try to help him back”
During his inaugural press conference as head coach of Manchester City, Maresca discussed the conversations he initiated and the rationale behind them.
“I spoke with the players who reached out to me, and the only two I initiated contact with were Jeremy—because he became a father during the World Cup—and Phil, whom I called to talk after he was left out of the squad,” said Maresca. “For the others, I spoke with those who contacted me first.”
On his objectives for Foden in the upcoming season, he remarked: “My goal is to help Phil become the player we all know he can be, especially the Phil we all want to see. First and foremost for his enjoyment of football and overall happiness. Secondly, because I understand how talented Phil is. When he’s in a good place, we can secure victories.”
Maresca referred to Foden’s previous success at the club to frame the current situation as one of restoration rather than complete transformation. The former Chelsea boss added: “During the treble-winning season, he was exceptional, and the following year he was named Premier League Player of the Season. Although he has faced some challenges, I conveyed to him that it is my responsibility to assist him in finding his best form again. He’s a product of this club, and it’s personally rewarding for me to help him, as I believe he has genuine affection for the club, too.”
Jeremy Doku reaches agreement with Manchester City over new long-term contract
What does Maresca’s approach to Foden tell us about his Man City plans?
Foden has since signed a new four-year deal with Manchester City until 2030, and his commitment to the club is believed to have been influenced by his confidence in Maresca, whom he praised as “brilliant” during the treble-winning season.
Maresca’s characterization of Foden’s recent difficulties as “my duty” to address highlights his active role as a manager—not merely benefiting from the player’s improvement but being directly invested in it and committed to helping him reclaim his top form.
This level of personal engagement, which he aims to extend across his squad that includes Elliot Anderson, Doku, Rodri, and others returning from the World Cup, may take time to yield results on the field. However, Maresca’s initial press conference suggests he comprehends precisely what each pivotal player requires.
For Director of Football Hugo Viana and the club’s leadership, Maresca’s proactive, thoughtful, and deeply human approach to his summer interactions will affirm why he was chosen to lead Manchester City into this new chapter.