A much-awaited first appearance
Enzo Maresca took a firm line. In his first press conference since Manchester City were found guilty of financial breaches, the Italian manager said on Friday he has “total confidence” in the club. He named the owners, the chief executive, the sporting director and the whole organisation, saying he has no doubts.
Appointed in the summer to succeed Pep Guardiola, Maresca pointed out that this was precisely why he had joined City. Facing a room packed with media, he kept to the message that proceedings are under way.
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An “at the moment” quickly corrected
During the international break, an independent commission appointed by the Premier League found the club guilty of “serious” financial breaches covering 2009 to 2018. City, owned by an Emirati fund, have appealed.
Minutes after his first answer, Maresca was pressed on the phrase “at the moment”, which could suggest his confidence had a time limit. He admitted it was a poor choice of words and clarified that his faith holds today, in the future, always.
Asked about his own position if the club were ultimately found guilty, which could lead to relegation, he brushed the question aside as hypothetical. His reply came as a counter-question: what if the appeal is won?
Liverpool to restart the machine
The former Guardiola assistant also defended the club’s sporting legacy. In his view, the many titles won over the past decade will never be tarnished by the case, whatever its outcome. He recalled the treble season of 2023 and the work put in by the players, the club and his predecessor.
Football takes over again on Sunday with a trip to Liverpool, one of City’s biggest rivals in England.
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