Maresca makes Premier League history with 7 straight wins at Man City

Enzo Maresca has won all seven of his Premier League games in charge of Manchester City, and the 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium on 17 October 2026 put him in the record books. According to Manchester City's official website, the Italian is the first manager in Premier League history to open his reign at a club with seven straight league wins. The result also takes him past the six-game winning start his predecessor Pep Guardiola made in his debut season at City.

The club says City have scored 19 goals and collected 21 points over those seven matches, opening up a 6-point lead at the top of the table. The Guardian's match report also noted that the win moved City six points clear.

Which games made up Maresca's record run?

The run began on 23 August 2026 with a late 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth. Two away days stand out: City won the Manchester derby 1-0 at Old Trafford on 13 September 2026 and beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on 11 October 2026. The Anfield win had already drawn Maresca level with Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on six.

What happened against Ipswich?

Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2, with Erling Haaland's brace proving decisive. ScoreLab data shows Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Daizen Maeda levelled for Ipswich two minutes later. Haaland struck in the 34th and 69th minutes, and Zian Flemming pulled one back for the visitors in the 90th minute, too late to change the outcome.

The Guardian reported that this was City's first Premier League home game since the club was found to have breached financial rules, and that supporters rallied behind the team despite the off-field noise.

How did Maresca end up succeeding Guardiola?

Enzo Maresca was appointed after Guardiola stepped down at the end of a decade at Manchester City. As Football Italia points out, the two had worked together at City in the 2022/23 season, when Maresca was part of Guardiola's coaching staff. He went on to manage Leicester City in the Championship before taking over at Chelsea in the summer of 2024. Football Italia reports that Chelsea dismissed him on 1 January 2026, once it emerged City had earmarked him for a future role.

Maresca's spell at City has not been flawless. Football Italia notes that his first match ended in a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in August, and ScoreLab data shows City suffered a 4-2 Champions League defeat at the Etihad against PSG on 14 October 2026. Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo framed the record as Maresca stepping out of his former mentor's long shadow at a club many saw as a poisoned chalice after Guardiola.

Who held the record before Maresca?

Before Maresca, the best start to a Premier League managerial reign was six straight wins. According to Manchester City's official website, three managers shared that mark:

• Carlo Ancelotti — Chelsea, start of the 2009/10 season
• Pep Guardiola — Manchester City, start of the 2016/17 season
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — Manchester United, at the start of his spell in charge

When do Manchester City play next?

Manchester City host AEK Athens in the Champions League on 20 October 2026. Maresca's chance to stretch his league run to eight comes at Aston Villa on 24 October 2026, followed by a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion on 31 October 2026 (ScoreLab data).