Hart expects patient backing for Maresca

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes nobody should be "heaping massive expectations" on new manager Enzo Maresca this season, especially if the club's hierarchy aren't "putting pressure on internally". Last season saw Pep Guardiola bring an end to his 10-year reign at Etihad Stadium with a domestic cup double, handing over the baton to his former assistant manager. "I do feel the club will want to be pushing on all fronts but I don't think the same sort of pressure will be on Maresca this season," Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "Given all the names that have gone out of the door and all the names that aren't necessarily in the door yet, I don't think they will be putting pressure on internally. But, of course, there is always going to be the noise externally. "However, the club has enough success in the bank and enough know-how to understand that the Premier League and the Champions League are really tough places to be. "I don't think they are greedy enough to think second, third or fourth place - or even a more difficult season - is enough to say they have fallen off. They trust and believe in Maresca, they don't see him as a gamble." Arsenal produced a statement win to lift the Community Shield on Sunday, as Manchester City underwhelmed in their first competitive match under Maresca. "This is a very realistic club," Hart added. "It needs fresh eyes, but it also needs the old school to step up now to keep everyone calm and focused. "I don't think Manchester City will overreact about the result. It was a poor game and some of the guys weren't playing with fluidity." Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds [BBC]