Doku caught in childbirth row

Enzo Maresca’s first meaningful act at Manchester City may have to come before he is even formally in the job.

The Italian is widely expected to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, although City have not yet confirmed the appointment. According to Manchester Evening News, Maresca has been urged to follow Guardiola’s example by reaching out to Jérémy Doku, who has found himself at the centre of an uncomfortable World Cup debate.

Doku, away with Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, has said he wants to be present for the birth of his first child if the timing clashes with the tournament. That should be a private family matter. Instead, it has become a public argument over commitment, priorities and the expectations placed on footballers during major tournaments.

According to Associated Press, French broadcaster L’Équipe apologised to Doku after presenter France Pierron criticised the winger for wanting to leave the World Cup to attend the birth. Pierron described childbirth as “a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is useless” and also said: “There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place.”

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L’Équipe later said the comments did not reflect its values.

Sterling precedent matters

The episode has inevitably drawn comparisons with Raheem Sterling’s treatment during Euro 2016.

Sterling was heavily criticised during England’s poor tournament in France, which ended with the humiliating last-16 defeat by Iceland. At the time, he had only recently joined Manchester City from Liverpool and was still fighting to establish himself after a difficult first season at the club.

Guardiola, who had not yet officially started work as City manager, made contact with Sterling during the tournament. According to The Independent, Guardiola reassured the winger that he would be central to his plans at City despite the criticism he was receiving.

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That show of faith mattered. Sterling returned to Manchester with renewed confidence and went on to become one of the defining attacking players of Guardiola’s early years at the club.

The situation is not identical. Doku is not being criticised for performances in quite the same way Sterling was. But the broader issue is familiar: a young Black Manchester City winger facing disproportionate scrutiny in the middle of an international tournament.

Maresca can set the tone

For Maresca, the lesson is simple. A phone call may not make headlines, but it could carry real weight.

Doku does not need a tactical lecture. He needs to know that the manager expected to inherit him at City understands the pressure he is under and does not judge him for wanting to be present for a major family moment.

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The 24-year-old is one of City’s most dangerous wide players, a winger whose pace, balance and direct running can change matches quickly. But like Sterling before him, he is also a person being asked to perform while dealing with noise that goes well beyond football.

Maresca has spent time inside City’s structure before, first with the club’s Elite Development Squad and later as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff. He will know how important player management has been to City’s success. This is an early chance to show he can carry that part of the job forward.

A small gesture could matter

The best managers often make their influence felt before a ball is kicked. Guardiola understood that with Sterling in 2016. Maresca now has the chance to do something similar with Doku.

There is no need for a public statement or a dramatic intervention. A quiet message of support would be enough, City value him, City understand the situation, and City will not let outside noise define him.

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Doku’s World Cup should be remembered for his football, not for a debate over whether a father should want to witness the birth of his first child. If Maresca wants to make an early connection with one of his most exciting players, this is the moment.

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