Enzo Maresca is inflexible Manchester City The achievements have not been tainted because the club was found guilty of breaching Financial Regulation 114.
The verdict of the Independent Commission is a fortnight ago – that City cheated the system by more than £900, allowing them to bolster their squad with players who were highly successful on the pitch – has inevitably meant that the period between 2009 and 2018 should be looked at differently.
But Maresca, who worked at the club as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff for two separate spells between 2020 and 2023 before replacing the Spaniard in the top job in the summer, insisted the players’ achievements still need to be recognised.
Asked if his success was tainted, he replied: “Absolutely not. The last time I was here was the treble season, I know the effort of the players, of the club, of the coach that Pep was. I know exactly the effort that the club put in to achieve this kind of goal. I have no doubt about it.”
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 punished.
He added: “I understand why most of you (the media) are here, but all I can say is what I’ve already said. The reason I joined this club is because I have full confidence in the owners, the CEO, the sporting director, the whole organisation.
“I would like to talk about this situation when we are going to win the appeal. There is no point in talking about anything now, because I have no information.”
Maresca said he would have joined City “100 per cent” if the Independent Commission’s findings had already been revealed and hinted he would remain in the role if the sanction saw the club kicked out of the Premier League.
“I won the Championship with Leicester, so if we’re in League One, we’ll see!” he said “But then again, we’re thinking about something 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 in a hot atmosphere at Anfield.
“It will be a tough game (against Liverpool), a tough test,” he added. “But we have to be ready. The focus has to be on the game. The environment at Anfield is nice, it will probably be worse because of the situation. Again, it will be our duty to try to do our best and try to win the game.”
Maresca revealed the issue has not caused any negativity in the dressing room, with the players focused on trying to extend their 100% record to six games this weekend.
He said: “I understand you probably want to hear or hear different words from me. But the real words are that the players, yes there is noise, but they are 20-25 years old. They come, they enjoy themselves, they train, they go home happy, they are top of the league. So the players are relaxed. They just think how we can be at Liverpool.
“We understand the gravity of the situation, we understand the noise completely, 100%. It’s a serious thing. But at the same time, we just have to manage it and focus on what we can control. Try to prepare for the game in the best way possible, go to Anfield and win the game.”
Haaland fit for the city
City will have Erling Haaland despite fears the striker was injured during the international game with Norway.
“It’s good! It’s good!” said Maresca. “He went to Marbella, two or three days off, played golf, recovered and ready for Anfield. It’s fine, thank you.
“It was good (to see him again). Also because, again, the players are thinking about international teams, a few days off, and then they go again. It was good.”
