Manager Maresca says he has complete trust in Man City despite bombshell verdict

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has reiterated his complete trust in the club's leadership following a verdict that found the Premier League champions guilty of 114 financial rule breaches. The independent commission's decision, made public, led City to appeal the ruling and continue to deny any wrongdoing. Maresca addressed the issue for the first time on Friday, declining to delve into the specifics of the case.

"I understand the reason why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is something that I already said. There is a process ongoing and in this moment I completely trust the club," he stated at a press conference. Maresca, who took over as City's manager in the summer, also defended the club's achievements during their successful era under former manager Pep Guardiola.

The 2022-23 season saw City win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, a historic treble under Guardiola. Maresca emphasized that the verdict did not tarnish these accomplishments, recalling the immense effort from players, club, and Guardiola himself. He also confirmed his communication with the club's hierarchy following the ruling, expressing confidence in their position, stating, "I spoke with the club for sure, we all trust and probably the right moment to speak about that is when we are going to win this appeal."

The appeal process is still ongoing, with no ruling yet. The controversy has coincided with City's preparations for a crucial Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Despite the off-field issues, Maresca remains focused on keeping the team motivated as they aim to maintain their strong start to the league campaign. Currently, City is leading the Premier League by three points over Arsenal.