Following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season after a decade in charge, City appointed former assistant and Chelsea manager Maresca, whom Dias describes as the “perfect person for the job” due to his deep familiarity with the club.

Squad Overhaul and Big Spending

The Citizens broke Premier League records during the recent transfer window, splashing £458 million to bring in new talent such as midfielders Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson, and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

While the club successfully recouped over £300 million through player sales, the squad bid farewell to several iconic, experienced figures—including 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, former captain Bernardo Silva, and England international John Stones.

Embracing the Change

Reflecting on the massive transition, Dias acknowledged that losing Guardiola and several serial winners was a difficult adjustment for the club. However, the Portuguese defender remains confident that the injection of fresh, eager talent will keep City at the summit.

“So many people have left and so many winners have left, and now new people have joined with a lot of ambition and people that are desperate to win and that is also what makes the club keep on going,” Dias told the Football Interview.

Dias also noted that Maresca has seamlessly implemented his own tactical identity, adjustments in pressing, and defensive organization that have the squad fully engaged and enjoying training.

Having won their opening four matches across the Premier League and Champions League under the new regime, City now turns its focus toward a high-stakes clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 29-year-old former world record holder crossed the finish line in 12.34 seconds. American Olympic champion Masai Russell captured the gold with a time of 12.22 seconds, while the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser secured bronze at 12.39 seconds.

Overcoming Physical and Mental Hurdles

Amusan’s path to the Budapest podium was far from easy. Following a stellar start to the year, she battled a series of minor injuries, a bronze finish at the Commonwealth Games, and a fourth-place result at the Diamond League Final. The accumulated physical strain peaked mid-season.

“What started off as an amazing season… I had some nipping here and there,” Amusan reflected. “You know, I’m not a robot. The body did shut down at a point.”

Despite the setbacks—including the pressure following Masai Russell’s blazing world-record run of 12.09 seconds at the Zurich Diamond League in August—Amusan adopted a resilient mindset for the final.

Going into the race with a fierce “we die here” attitude, she focused on leaving everything on the track. Seeing her second-place finish validated her grueling journey, prompting deep gratitude. “The second I saw the second-place finish, I was like, look, I can’t complain. God is good,” she said.

A Strong Support System

Amusan candidly admitted that navigating the mental lows of her rough patch required a tight-knit support network. She credited her family, mentor, coach, and partner for reviving her confidence and pushing her past the finish line.

Looking ahead to next season, the veteran hurdler expects the competition to intensify even further as global standards continue to rise.

“I think I would be the sleeping lion,” Amusan warned. “The women’s hurdles is just getting scarier every damn year. Next year, I do not know what’s going to happen. But it’s going to be bloody.”