Maresca expresses confidence that Manchester City will win appeal agains…

Maresca Expresses Confidence in Appeal

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence that the club will overturn its guilty verdict for over 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules. Speaking at his first press conference since the announcement, Maresca emphasised trust in the club’s leadership and rejected claims that past successes are tainted.

An independent commission reported that the club artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs across nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018. WTX News reports that revenues were inflated by over £900 million, while SportsMole, SportBible, and three.fm cite figures of more than £830 million. The club is appealing the guilty verdict, facing potential sanctions including a severe points penalty, relegation, or expulsion from the Premier League if the outcome is upheld.

Enzo Maresca stated, “I trust the club because I trust the people.” He added, “The reason why I joined this club is because I completely trust 100 percent the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation. So I don’t have any doubt about that.” Furthermore, Maresca stated: “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.”

Titles “Absolutely Not” Tainted

Since an Abu Dhabi backed takeover in 2008, City have become a dominant force in English football, winning multiple Premier League titles and other trophies over the past 15 years under managers including Pep Guardiola. Maresca rejected the suggestion that those previous successes were now tainted.

"Absolutely not. 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."

Enzo Maresca

Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season after a decade at the Etihad Stadium, though he is set to attend City's home game against Paris Saint-Germain. Maresca noted: “After 10 years here, he can come at any time he wants. I think it would be nice for him. It would be nice for the fans, for everyone.”

Upcoming Match Against Liverpool

City are preparing to travel to Liverpool for their first outing since the guilty verdict. Maresca acknowledged that his team faces a warm and challenging environment at Anfield, but emphasised that the players remain focused on the match.

"Probably (it) will be even more warm in terms of environment. But the reason why I decided to be manager is for this kind of game. I’m not worried at all. Again, the environment is from the players, it’s nice. In this moment, we are top of the league, so the players have all the reasons to be happy and excited."

Enzo Maresca