Maresca refuses to commit to Manchester City future after Premier League guilty verdict

Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn on his future at Manchester City during a press conference this week, after an independent Commission found the club guilty of systematically breaching Premier League financial rules across a nine-year period.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the findings in stark terms, stating that “the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.” City now face potential punishments ranging from points deductions and transfer bans to expulsion from the league, a situation that has left several of the club’s senior figures uncertain about what lies ahead.

Maresca, who only took charge at the Etihad Stadium this summer after replacing Pep Guardiola, was direct about his reluctance to engage with speculation. “I would like to speak about this when we win the appeal,” the Italian said. “For now, it makes no sense to speak about it because I don’t know anything. I completely trust the club in this moment, in the future, always.”

City confirmed last week that they have formally launched an appeal, describing the Commission’s findings as an “opinion” and maintaining that “the Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions.”

Maresca was quick to redirect attention toward more immediate concerns, saying he was “worried” about the upcoming trip to Anfield. “What would happen if the appeal is won? We are predicting the future. I’m worried about tomorrow and the Liverpool game. I can’t say what happens in the future. I think it’s important for all of us to respect the process. An appeal is ongoing.”

The 46-year-old joined City as a coach in 2020 following a spell as an assistant at West Ham United, meaning he was not at the club during the period covered by the charges. He served as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022/23 Treble-winning season before departing to lead Leicester City back to the Premier League, and returned to the Etihad this summer as head coach.

City travel to Liverpool this weekend as Premier League action resumes following the international break.