Enzo Maresca’s first public appearance after Manchester City’s guilty verdict on almost all of the Premier League’s financial‑rule breaches was a tightly controlled briefing, with the Italian manager sticking to the club’s official line of trust in its leadership. The press conference, held at the Etihad Campus on Thursday, drew 45 journalists – roughly three times the usual crowd – as the club sought to manage the fallout from an independent commission’s findings that found City guilty of more than 100 breaches.
Maresca opened by acknowledging the “noise” surrounding the club, but he emphasized that a formal process was underway and that he fully trusted the club at that moment. When a reporter asked whether he might change his mind, Maresca corrected himself, saying he trusted the club “in this moment, in the future, always.” The interview was overseen by the club’s media officer, who intervened when Maresca referenced the chairman Khaldoon al‑Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano, reminding reporters that the briefing was a pre‑game press conference for Sunday’s trip to Anfield.
The commission’s report, which described City’s misconduct as a “sham,” had sparked a wave of memes and criticism. Despite this, the 16‑minute briefing avoided the more emotive language that the Premier League had used in its statement. Maresca remained calm and composed, answering questions about Soriano’s claim that the commission’s opinion supported the league’s “conspiracy theory.” He reiterated his confidence in the club’s ownership and management, stating that he had joined City because he trusted the owner, CEO, and sporting director “100 %.”
When asked about Erling Haaland’s recent injury scare, Maresca returned to footballing matters, noting that the striker had recovered after a brief break in Marbella and was ready for the Anfield match. He highlighted the importance of the team’s focus and the need to perform despite the hostile environment that could be expected at Anfield given the current controversy.
Maresca concluded by stressing that City’s leaders are prepared for a challenging Sunday, with the club currently topping the league and the players motivated to win. He expressed confidence that, despite the noise and scrutiny, the team would remain focused on the game and deliver a positive result. The press conference set the tone for City’s upcoming fixtures as the club navigates the aftermath of the financial‑rule investigation.