Manchester City manager Enzo Maresma says the owners are convinced they’ll overturn the commission’s guilty verdict.
At his debut press conference since the ruling, Maresma declared he trusts the hierarchy completely and believes an appeal win is imminent.
“The right time to speak is when we win the appeal”
Admitted he had not read the findings of the commission
Believes everyone is on “the same page” at the club
Backs his team to handle Sunday’s “even worse” Anfield environment and called for his players to “stick together”
The independent commission said City used sham contracts from 2009/10 to 2017/18, inflating revenue by £830 million through a disguised funding scheme.
City announced last Friday that they are “innocent”, calling the judgment an opinion riddled with material errors of law, principle and fact.
Maresma, formerly Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022/23 treble, took over as head coach this summer.
When asked if an earlier verdict would have changed his decision, he replied he’d known the organisation’s seriousness for years and trusts its integrity.
He said the charges never featured in talks because he didn’t see them as a problem and believed the club acted honestly.
“They’re convinced we’ll ultimately win the appeal,” he added.
“I joined because I trust the owner, sporting director and CEO 100 percent – no doubt there,” he said.
“I’ll speak when we win; that’s the proper moment,” he noted.
Maresma says City’s achievements remain untarnished
On whether past trophies are tainted, he insisted: “Absolutely not – the players, Pep and the club earned them fair and square.”
He added, “No other club in the world feels like home to me.”
Maresma confirmed he hadn’t read the commission’s report.
“My focus stays on football; I’m not distracted by things I don’t fully understand,” he said before the Anfield trip.
“We can only control the football side; everything else is noise we must manage,” he explained.
“We’ll handle the noise, respect the seriousness, and aim to win at Anfield,” he asserted.
Media masterclass from Maresma
“Maresma delivered a media masterclass, handling tough questions amid a storm,” a commentator noted.
“City will be pleased with his calm handling; journalists got few moments of surprise,” the analyst added.
“Big headlines won’t dominate; his body language was the most interesting element,” the reporter observed.
“He stayed relaxed, smiled and joked, never looking cornered,” another journalist reported.
“He never appeared pressured, sticking to the script throughout,” the press noted.
“He gave little away, repeatedly stressing trust in the owners and the pending appeal; my focus stays on the pitch,” he said.
“When asked if the chairman should have led the conference, he gave no new clues,” a correspondent recorded.
Inside the press conference view…
“My interactions with Maresma are recent – he’s been calm and composed since joining,” a colleague remarked.
“He likely anticipated the commission’s release, keeping it in mind throughout the press event,” the insider suggested.
“His statement reaffirmed the club’s innocence, making his defence easier during the appeal,” the pundit explained.
“He maintained composure from start to finish,” the observer commented.
“Journalists tried countless angles to provoke emotion, yet he stayed steady, unlike Guardiola’s bullish response in 2023,” the analyst compared.
“Having been Pep’s assistant, Maresma may have learned from that episode and applied similar communication tactics,” the veteran noted.
“It’s no surprise he stuck to the script; he’ll be pleased watching the replay later,” the commentator predicted.
Maresma more open on guilty verdict than expected
“Maresma presented an unflappable figure during 15 minutes of questioning on the Premier League findings; not a single stumble,” the reporter wrote.
“His calm, measured replies impressed amid a room packed with national journalists – I counted 14 cameras, which is rare,” the journalist added.
“He was more open than expected, reiterating his football focus while firmly trusting the club 100 percent,” the correspondent said.
“He seems to have a ‘get‑out‑of‑jail’ card while City sit atop the league; wins tend to quiet scrutiny,” the columnist observed.
“If results dip, he’ll face questions about distraction or noise impact,” the analyst warned.
“The noise will be deafening at Anfield, but he’s passed this test; the next challenge arrives this weekend,” the reporter concluded.
How will City’s perfect start fare after the verdict?
“Anfield’s famed atmosphere will host City’s first game since the commission ruled they broke rules between 2009 and 2018 – a seismic moment,” the preview noted.
“City are appealing, yet Liverpool’s crowd will deliver its own verdict, expecting a vociferous response. On the pitch, Maresma’s side sit unbeaten with five wins, leading the table,” the match preview stated.
“Andoni Iraola is also unbeaten at Liverpool, but with three draws from five, this is his first major test and a title‑credential showdown. All eyes will be on Anfield,” the analyst added.