Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended the club's past and future following an independent commission's guilty verdict on 114 charges of breaching financial rules. The commission's 40-page explanation reportedly used the word "sham" in its findings, accusing the club of cheating for years.
Maresca, who served as Pep Guardiola's assistant during City's 2022-23 treble-winning season, stated he has no doubts about the club's hierarchy or their prospects in the appeal process. He denied that the club's trophies were tainted, asserting, "Absolutely not." He added that he knows the effort put in by the players, the club, and former manager Pep Guardiola to achieve their targets.
When asked about the possibility of City being demoted to another division, Maresca implied he could stay, referencing his Championship win with Leicester. He also expressed complete trust in the owner, CEO, sporting director, and the entire organisation, stating he would not want to be at any other club in the world.
Maresca claimed that the 115 charges, levelled by the Premier League in 2023, were not discussed when he took over from Pep Guardiola. Guardiola is set to return to the Etihad for Wednesday's Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.