Enzo Maresca confirmed that he would have accepted the Manchester City managerial role even after learning the club had been found guilty of breaching financial regulations. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the former assistant to Pep Guardiola expressed no regret over his decision to take charge and insisted that the club’s recent trophies are not compromised by the independent commission’s findings.
Maresca, who had not spoken to the media since the commission’s report was released during the international break, appeared calm and upbeat. He answered questions for just under sixteen minutes, emphasizing his confidence in the club’s leadership and the people behind it. “I trust the club because I trust the people, and that is why I joined,” he said, adding that no other club in the world would have appealed to him. When asked whether the verdict would have altered his decision, he answered in the affirmative, stating, “100%, yes.”
The verdict, which accuses City of multiple financial breaches between 2009 and 2018, has sparked debate about the legitimacy of the club’s achievements since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008. Maresca dismissed the notion that his medals from the 2023 treble – Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup – were tainted. “Absolutely not,” he said. “The effort from the players, the club, and the manager was real, and I have no doubt about that.” He reiterated that the club’s success remains intact in his view.
City have already filed an appeal against the ruling, and the team’s first match after the announcement will be a Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday. Maresca welcomed his squad back from international duty and stressed that the players remain focused on football rather than the controversy. “We understand the seriousness of the situation, but it is our duty to control the noise and focus on winning games,” he told reporters.
In addition to addressing the verdict, Maresca provided a brief update on striker Erling Haaland, who had requested a substitute for Norway during the break. The manager reported Haaland to be in good shape after a few days of rest. The club’s next priority is to maintain performance on the pitch while navigating the ongoing appeal process.