Enzo Maresca has said he would still have joined Manchester City as manager if he had known the club had been found guilty of breaching financial rules while insisting that none of the club’s success under Abu Dhabi ownership has been tainted by the damning judgement.
Maresca faced reporters for the first time on Friday since the findings of the independent commission were published during the international break.
The Italian, who arrived early to his news conference and was smiling as he took his seat, answered questions for just under 16 minutes and was defiant throughout.
He insisted he had no regrets about taking the manager’s job and defending his own achievements when he served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant during City’s treble season in 2022-23.
Asked whether he would have still agreed to take over from Guardiola had the verdict been released earlier, Maresca said: “100%, yes.
“I understand the reason why most of you [reporters] are here, but the only thing I can say is that it is something that I already said. There is a process ongoing and in this moment I completely trust the club. This is what I can say about that.
“I trust the club because I trust the people and this is also the reason why I joined the club. There is not another club in the world where I would like to be. I’m very happy to be, I’m very proud.”
City have launched a formal appeal after being found guilty of multiple financial breaches between 2009 and 2018.
The verdict has raised questions about the legitimacy of all the success enjoyed since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008 — including the treble won when Maresca was assistant.
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But the 46-year-old rejected the suggestion his medals from success in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in 2023 are tainted.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
“The last time I was here was the Treble season and I know the effort from the players, the club, the manager. I know the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target so I don’t have any doubt about that.”
City face Liverpool on Sunday in their first game since the verdict was published. Maresca has welcomed his players back from international duty this week and said they’re focused ahead of the trip to Anfield.
“We completely understand the seriousness of the situation,” he said.
“We understand, the players understand, but it’s our duty and our job to try to control the noise. The manager and the players are focused on winning games, not about something different.”
Maresca offered a positive fitness update on Erling Haaland, who asked to be substituted for Norway during the international break.
Haaland was “good,” his manager said, after a few days on holiday.
