Maresca Backs Man City to Win Appeal, Rejects Doubts Over Achievements

Speaking at his first news conference since last week's stunning ruling, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday he is fully confident the club will win its appeal after being found in breach of more than 100 Premier League financial rules.

The Italian also rejected any suggestion that City's achievements over the past 15 years have been tarnished.

"I trust the club completely," Maresca said. He was appointed manager in June but previously worked at City on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff.

"I trust the club because I trust the people here, and that is also why I joined this club... There is no other club in the world I would want to go to."

According to the findings of an independent commission, City arranged "sham" contracts with a number of commercial partners to inflate revenue and reduce costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2 billion) across nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018.

The 10-time English champions continue to deny any wrongdoing and are appealing the ruling.

If they fail to overturn it, they could face a severe points deduction, potentially leading to relegation or expulsion from the Premier League.

"The reason I joined this club is because I believe 100% in the owners, the chief executive, the sporting director and the entire organisation. So I have no doubts about that at all," Maresca said.

"I have certainly spoken with the club and we all have belief, and the right time to talk about it is when we win this appeal."

Since being taken over with Abu Dhabi money in 2008, City have become the dominant force in English football.

They have won eight Premier League titles, the Champions League and numerous other honours over the past 15 years.

Maresca, whose team have won all five of their Premier League games this season, dismissed the idea that those past successes are now tarnished.

"Not at all," said the former Chelsea manager. "I know the effort of the players, of the club, of the manager at the time – Pep.

"I know exactly the effort the club put in to achieve that."

Maresca welcomes Guardiola's first return to Man City

Guardiola left his managerial post at the end of last season after a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad.

City travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first match since the ruling, but Guardiola is expected to attend their next home game against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

"After 10 years here, he can come whenever he wants," Maresca said. "I think it will be good for him, good for the fans, good for everyone."

Maresca spoke to City's in-house media on Thursday, when he said the current players are "not too bothered by the noise" surrounding the club at the moment.

However, the new manager and his players may face a hostile atmosphere when they travel to Anfield, the home of their fierce rivals, but Maresca said his players will focus on the game.

"Maybe the atmosphere will be even hotter. But the reason I decided to become a manager is because of games like this," he said.

"I am not worried at all. Again, the atmosphere comes from the players, and it is fantastic.

"At this moment we are top of the league, so the players have every reason to be happy and excited."