Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has publicly declared his absolute confidence that the club will successfully appeal a guilty verdict involving more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations. Speaking during his first news conference since the charges were announced last week, the Italian coach reaffirmed his commitment to the organization he joined in June. “So I know exactly the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target.”. “Probably [it] will be even more warm in terms of environment.
An independent commission previously determined that City utilized “sham” contracts with commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues while obscuring costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2bn) between 2009 and 2018. The 10-time English champions, who have dominated domestic football since their 2008 Abu Dhabi-backed takeover, continue to deny any wrongdoing and are currently pursuing an appeal against the ruling. “After 10 years here, he can come at any time he wants,” Maresca said. “I think it would be nice for him.
The potential consequences of the verdict are severe, with reports suggesting the club could face significant points deductions, relegation, or even total expulsion from the league if the decision is upheld. Despite the gravity of these claims, Maresca remained steadfast in his support for the club’s hierarchy. “The reason why I joined this club is because I completely trust 100 percent the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation,” he stated, adding that he considers it the only place he wants to be. “I spoke with the club for sure, and we all [have] trust, and the right moment to speak about that is when we win this appeal.”.
Maresca, who previously served on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff, also dismissed any notion that the club’s extensive trophy haul over the last 15 years—including eight Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy—has been tainted by the investigation. He emphasized that the successes were earned through the legitimate dedication and hard work of the players, management, and staff during that era. The Champions League and multiple other trophies over the past 15 years, they have won eight Premier League titles.
Regarding the team’s immediate future, the manager noted that he had consulted with the club and concluded that the appropriate time to address the legal situation in depth will be once the appeal is resolved. For now, he stated that the squad remains focused on their competitive objectives. Despite currently sitting at the top of the league table, the team expects a hostile atmosphere during their upcoming match at Anfield.
The manager expressed excitement about the challenge of playing against fierce rivals, characterizing such high-pressure games as a primary motivation for his role. He indicated that his players are not distracted by the surrounding noise, pointing out that their current position in the standings provides plenty of reason for optimism.
Furthermore, Maresca addressed the anticipated return of former manager Pep Guardiola to the Etihad Stadium. Having stepped down after a decade-long tenure, Guardiola is scheduled to attend the home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Maresca welcomed the idea, stating that the former boss is free to visit at any time and that his presence would be a positive development for both the fans and the organization.
