Enzo Maresca is adamant Manchester City’s achievements have not been tainted by the club being found guilty of breaching 114 financial regulations.
The verdict of the Independent Commission a fortnight ago – that City cheated the system to the tune of over £900, enabling them to bolster their squad with players that went on to enjoy huge on-field success – has inevitably led to claims the period between 2009 and 2018 should be viewed differently.
But Maresca, who worked for the club as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff across two separate spells between 2020 and 2023 before replacing the Spaniard in the top job over the summer, insisted the players’ achievements should still be recognised.
Asked if their success was tainted, he replied: “Absolutely not. 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.”
City will win the appeal – Maresca
City have appealed the verdict, and continue to deny any wrongdoing, and Maresca is confident the club will be cleared.
He added: “I understand the reason why most of you [the media] 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% the owners, the CEO, the sporting director – all the organisation.
“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 any information.”
Maresca said he would have “100%” joined City if the findings of the Independent Commission had already been revealed and hinted he would remain in post if the sanction saw the club thrown out of the Premier League.
“I won the Championship with Leicester, so in case we’re in League One, we’ll see!” he said. “But again, we are thinking about something that we don’t know.”
City will face a tough test at Liverpool – Maresca
With the appeal process ongoing, Maresca’s immediate concern is Sunday’s challenging trip to Liverpool with a white-hot atmosphere expected at Anfield.
“It will be a tough game [against Liverpool], a tough test,” he added. “But we need to be ready. The focus has to be about the game. The environment in Anfield is nice, [it will] probably be worse because of the situation. Again, it will be our duty to try and do our best and try and win the game.”
Maresca revealed the issue has not led to any negativity within the dressing room with the players focusing on trying to extend their 100% record to six games this weekend.
He said: “I understand that probably you want to hear or listen to different words from me. But the real words is that the players, yes the noise is there, but they are 20- to 25-years-old. They come, they enjoy, they train, they go home happy, they are top of the league. So the players are relaxed. They are just thinking how we can beat Liverpool. And hopefully, we’re going to try.
“We understand the seriousness of the situation, we understand the noise completely, 100%. It’s something serious. But at the same time, we just need to manage that and focus on what we can control. Try to prepare the game the best way, go to Anfield, and win the game.”
Haaland fit for City
City will have Erling Haaland available despite fears the striker sustained an injury on international duty with Norway.
“He’s good! He’s good!” said Maresca. “He went to Marbella, two or three days off, played golf, recovery, and ready for Anfield. He’s good, thank you.
“It was good [to see him again]. Also because, again, the players are thinking about international teams, some days off, and then go again. It was good.”
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