Maresca Affirms Commitment to Manchester City After Financial Breach Ruling

Enzo Maresca stated he has no regrets about joining Manchester City following an independent commission's finding that the club breached financial rules.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday that he would have joined the club even if he had known they would be found guilty of breaching financial rules. Speaking for 16 minutes in his first news conference since the independent commission published its findings during the international break, the 46-year-old Italian stated he is "100%" certain of his decision to succeed Pep Guardiola. The club has launched a formal appeal against the verdict, which covers multiple breaches occurring between 2009 and 2018.

Maresca defended the legitimacy of the trophies won during his time as Guardiola's assistant, specifically the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup titles earned during the 2022-23 treble season. He rejected suggestions that these achievements are tainted, citing the effort put in by the players and staff. The manager expressed complete trust in the club's leadership and the ongoing legal process while preparing for a match against Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday.

Regarding squad fitness, Maresca reported that striker Erling Haaland is "good" to play. Haaland had previously requested a substitution while representing Norway during the international break but has since returned to training following a brief holiday. The manager emphasized that the squad is focused on controlling external noise to prioritize winning games.