Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca faced the press for the first time on Friday morning since the club were found guilty by an independent commission of breaching the Premier League's financial rules.
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The independent commission published its opinion on September 29, finding Manchester City guilty on 114 of 115 charges across nine seasons between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
The schemes were found to have artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million. The club responded by declaring they are innocent of the accusations and possess "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" in support of their positions.
Manchester City lodged a comprehensive appeal on October 1, arguing the opinion contains "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact" and is unsafe.
The appeal will be heard privately by an independent appeal board, while the sanctions phase has not yet begun and will follow its conclusion. Sources suggest full resolution may not arrive until 2028 or 2029.
Maresca has already spoken on the subject in an interview with the club's official website, saying he is "very calm" and that "we trust, completely, the club". The Italian also said the focus is on "what we can control", which he described as "just the football side".
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has spoken out for the first time since the Premier League issued the findings of an independent commission detailing breaches of the English top-flight's financial rules over an extended period.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Says "We Completely Trust The Club" After Man City's Guilty Verdict
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has spoken out for the first time since the Premier League issued the findings of an independent commission detailing breaches of the English top-flight's financial rules over an extended period.
Maresca speaks to the press for the first time since Man City were found guilty
Speaking in a press conference for the first time since the guilty verdict, Maresca was asked at length about the independent commission deeming the club of financial wrongdoing and failure to co-operate with the Premier League's original investigation that led to the latter's original February 2023 charges.
Maresca was asked about him referring to the controversy around the club as 'noise' in his in-house Manchester City interview earlier this week.
He said: "First of all, morning. I understand the reasons why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is that there is a process ongoing, and in this moment I completely trust the club. This is what I can say."
The Manchester City manager was further quizzed on why he trusts the club and whether he is privy to the 'irrefutable evidence' cited by the club in their official statement combatting the independent commission's verdict.
"First of all, I trust the club because I trust the people," he added. "And this is also the reason why I joined the club. And then, there is not another club in the world where I would like to be. I'm very happy to be here, I'm very proud, I've said it many times since day one."
Having previously served as assistant to former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in the club's historic 2022/23 treble-winning season, Maresca was subsequently asked if he views the Blues' achievements in the recent past differently in the wake of the guilty verdict.
"Absolutely not," the 46-year-old said. "The last time I was here was the treble season, I know the effort from the players, the club, the manager that was Pep. I know exactly the effort the club put in to achieve that kind of target. I don't have any doubts about that. (They don't feel tainted to you?) Absolutely not."
On the Manchester City players having to compete and operate amid a dark cloud of uncertainty around the appeal process, Maresca added: "For me and the players, we can control just the football side. We are focussed on that, and this is what we can do and control. We cannot control something different."
In a video message sent to club staff, Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano cited a 'conspiracy' against the Blues by the Premier League. Asked whether he shares Soriano's sentiment, Maresca said: "I understand the reason why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is what I've said already.
"The reason why I joined this club is because I completely trust 100 percent the owners, the CEO, the sporting director - all the organisation. I don't have any doubts about that."
On whether he has had assurances over Manchester City's innocence in the matter, Maresca added: "I spoke with the club, for sure, and we all trust. And probably the right moment to speak about that is when we're going to win this appeal."
Sky News' Rob Harris asked Maresca if he was worried about the impact of the noise around the charges and guilty verdict could impact his side against Liverpool on Sunday.
"It's the first time I've seen your face here, so we don't know each other, but if you ask the guys that are always here, I'm always concerned - not just about Liverpool," Maresca said in a defiant tone.
"I will be concerned also about Ipswich. I know that Anfield is a nice pitch, probably will be even more warm in terms of environment, but the reason why I decided to be a manager is for these kinds of games."
Guardiola has been confirmed as an attendee for Manchester City's UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain next week, having shown solidarity with the Blues, the owners and executives in a heartwarming statement in reaction to the verdict.
Maresca was asked whether he has spoken to Guardiola since the verdict was published and what it means to have the backing of a man he has worked under, the club's greatest-ever manager.
"I spoke with Pep [Guardiola] the last time after the Man United game, after the derby," the Italian added. "But I know that he's coming on Tuesday [for PSG]. After 10 years here, he can come at any time he wants! Not just for a game, but for a training session - any moment! I think it will be nice for him, the fans, everyone!"
On whether he would step down as Manchester City manager if he found the club had lied to him in relation to being innocent despite the verdict, Maresca said: "I would like to speak about this situation when we're going to win the appeal.
"Now it makes no sense to speak about anything, because I don't have many information. But again, I understand the reason why most of you are here because you want to hear something. But no."
Jamie Jackson of The Guardiola went on to ask Maresca if it should have been either Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak or CEO Soriano addressing the media to take questions on the independent commission's verdict, given his difficult position to comment on the matter as he only returned to the club in June.
"Don't forget, it's a Liverpool press conference," Maresca added.
On how he can avoid the uncertainty of the matter impacting results on the pitch and the mood in the Manchester City dressing room, the Italian said: ""It's our job to try and control the noise, also because again the manager and the players are focussed on winning games. Not about something different."
Maresca was asked about a scenario wherein Manchester City lose their upcoming appeal. Maintaining a defiant tone that reflects his faith in the club, the former Chelsea manager said: "And what happens if the appeal is won? It's the same! We are predicting the future! You know that I'm worried about tomorrow and in two days, three days.
"I don't know what's going to happen in the future. The only thing I can say is that I think it's fair from my point of view, all of us, to respect the process; verdict, appeal ongoing, we'll see what happens."
On the possibility of having to manage lower down the English football pyramid in the event of expulsion from the Premier League, Maresca added: "I won the Championship with Leicester, so in case we're in League One, we'll see! But again, we are thinking about something that we don't know."
On whether he has felt a need to address the players over the potential impact of the guilty verdict on the remainder of Manchester City's campaign, Maresca said: "In this moment, we are top of the league. So the players have all the reason to be happy and excited!"
This is a developing story. More to follow.