Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has thrown his support behind new manager Enzo Maresca, insisting the Italian is the "perfect one" to succeed Pep Guardiola despite the enormous challenge of replacing one of football's greatest managers.

Maresca has taken charge following Guardiola's departure at the end of last season, bringing an end to the Spaniard's trophy-laden 10-year reign at the Etihad Stadium.

The 46-year-old signed a three-year contract after winning the Championship title with Leicester City and the Club World Cup with Chelsea. He oversaw his first match as City boss on Saturday, when his side were beaten on penalties by Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.

Gvardiol believes Maresca has the qualities to guide City into a new era but acknowledged the transition will take time.

"The level is that high and he has been chosen with reason as the manager," Gvardiol said.

"I think he has a quality, has some new ideas and also we need to see what we are going to do [with] the style of [play], the football we are going to play and the tactics.

"I think he is a perfect one, but of course, it takes time. It's something totally new, it's not easy to change the manager, so we will take time.

"It's our job to help him as much as possible and also to listen to try to adapt as quick as possible.

"I met him, we spoke a little bit about my injury [and] also how we played, how I played before with Pep, and that's it, more or less."

Gvardiol missed five months of last season after suffering a broken bone in his right leg in January before returning to make two appearances in May.

The Croatia international also reflected on Guardiola's departure, revealing the timing of the announcement helped the squad remain focused during the campaign.

There had been speculation throughout the season that Guardiola would leave before the City manager confirmed his decision during the final week of the campaign.

"Some would say he could have told us earlier, some would say not," Gvardiol said.

"I think it was perfect timing because it can affect you mentally if he would have said it earlier.

"We knew at some point he has to tell us. He has been here for 10 years and it is time to rest a little bit and retire. We could feel it.

"[The 2024-25 season] he was in between, about to leave, then he stayed - great because it was another season to try to win something. Two seasons ago we struggled, 13 games without winning.

"Unfortunately it was time [for him] to go but who knows with him, maybe after six months when he gets the energy back."