Enzo Maresca has insisted Manchester City will be totally exonerated after appealing against their guilty verdict, but said he would stay even if they were relegated. City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled at them by the Premier League. The independent commission found they had used "sham" contracts to disguise more than £830million funding between 2009 and 2018.
Maresca's first comments since verdict
Facing reporters for the first time since the news broke during the international break, Maresca toed the party line. "I understand the reason why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is something I already said," he began. "That there is a process ongoing and in this moment I totally trust the club. This is what I can say about that."
The City manager went on to reiterate his trust in the club's hierarchy, including owner Sheikh Mansour, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano. "I spoke with the club and we all trusted each other," he said. "The right moment to speak is when we win this appeal. Now there is no sense to speak about this because I don’t have the information."
Relegation stance and treble defence
Asked if he would stay at City if they were relegated as punishment, Maresca said: "There is not another club in the world I would like to be. I'm very happy and proud to be here. I've said it since day one."
Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola as manager in the summer, having previously worked under the Catalan as a coach. He was part of the coaching staff when the allegations first arose, during the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, and rejected suggestions that achievement is now tainted. "Absolutely not. The last time I was here was the treble season," Maresca said. "I know the effort from the players, from the club, from the manager in that time, that was Pep. So I know exactly the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target. So I don't have any doubt about that."
Focus on Liverpool and Guardiola support
City return to the pitch against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign. Maresca made his message to the squad clear: "For me and for the players, we can control the pitch side, the football side, we are focused on that," he said. "We can control it."
Guardiola will be present at City's following match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Maresca is delighted to have his support. "It's always a pleasure," he said. "After 10 years time he can come any time he wants. Not just for game, for training session, at any moment. It will be nice for him, it will be nice for the fans, for everyone."
