Enzo Maresca has insisted Manchester City will win their appeal against the Premier League’s guilty verdict and that the titles he won as an assistant to Pep Guardiola are not tainted.
The Premier League found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges of financial misconduct and obstructing the independent commission’s investigation, it was revealed during the international break.
City maintain their innocence and have appealed, saying they hold ‘irrefutable’ evidence that will clear their name. Should the appeal fail, the club could face sanctions as severe as expulsion from the Premier League.
Maresca breaks silence
Maresca spoke about the charges in an interview with City’s in-house media channels on Thursday, saying he “trusts completely” the club and insisting the mood in the squad is high, despite reports suggesting a growing sense of anxiety among players.
Facing the media ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool at Anfield, he said: “I understand the reason why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is something I already said. There is a process ongoing, and in this moment I completely trust the club. This is what I can say about that.”
Asked if he had spoken with Kaldoon Al Mubarak, Maresca explained: “I spoke with the club, for sure. We all trust. The right moment to speak about that is when we win that appeal.”
Title defence
Maresca served as an assistant under Guardiola for much of his title-winning success but insisted he did not consider those titles to be ‘tainted’: “Absolutely not. The last time I was here was the treble season. I know the effort from the players, the club, the manager at that time, I know exactly the effort the club put to achieve that target. I don’t have any doubt about that.”
Pressed on why he trusts the club, he added: “I trust the club because I trust the people. This is the reason why I joined. There is not another club in the world where I would like to be. I am very happy to be here, very proud, I have said many times. I completely trust the club, in this moment, in the future, always. Thank you.”
