Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca made a return to Vero Moderno, a little Italian restaurant in Salford that has become a favourite among the football club's stars.
A regular haunt for City players
Vero Moderno is known for its rustic Italian menu with a contemporary twist and a warm welcome from Italian owner Beppe Piccoli and his team. It has become a regular haunt for almost the entire Manchester City squad, with players including Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Aymeric Laporte and Rodri having dined there in the past.
Warm welcome on social media
The restaurant posted a photo of Maresca on social media with the caption: “Bentornato a casa Mister Maresca! It was a real pleasure to welcome back Mister Enzo Maresca and we wish you all the very best for the season ahead! Team Vero Moderno” with a football emoji and the Italian flag emoji. The official Manchester City page later commented: “The lads” with a salute emoji.
Maresca remembered by staff
Maresca is no stranger to the restaurant, having frequented it during his previous stints at the club. Owner Beppe Piccoli told the Manchester Evening News that Maresca remembered numerous members of staff by name from his past visits. Beppe said: “We have a lot of long-standing members of staff and he was a regular at the time so we are very grateful to him for remembering us. It really does mean a lot.”
The visit came during Maresca's first week back in Manchester as the squad returned from their holidays and time at the World Cup. Beppe, originally from Rome, praised the City manager, saying: “He is a very nice guy, very generous and polite…And it’s not just because he is Italian, he actually really is a great guy. For him to remember the chef and the staff, go back to the kitchen and thank them for their food and service is just great for us.”
Also popular with Guardiola
During his time at the club, the restaurant also became popular with Maresca's predecessor Pep Guardiola, who visited in 2024. Vero Moderno shared a photo on Instagram saying: "Always a great honour to have the Man City boss drop by; doing our bit to keep his genius mind in tip top shape! World class manager and a world class guy."
When followers have asked what the players like to eat, the owners reply: "We are sworn to secrecy." The restaurant has also attracted soap stars from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks over the years.
