Enzo Maresca all smiles as Man City return to training after guilty verdict

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Join today

Already a member?
Log in

Advertisement

Enzo Maresca cut a relaxed figure as he greeted the cameras at Manchester City‘s training ground on Thursday.

The Manchester City boss was photographed grinning and offering a thumbs up as the squad came back together following the extended international break.

Friday will bring the manager’s first press conference since the club was found guilty on multiple charges of breaking Premier League financial rules across a nine-year period.

Manchester City have insisted they are innocent and have submitted an appeal, but speculation has been rife across football about the sanctions they might face.

A febrile atmosphere is expected at Anfield on Sunday, when City face fierce rivals Liverpool.

Maresca will hope his players can put the furore to one side and pick up where they left off in the Premier League, having won all of their opening five matches to sit top of the table.

Manchester City are currently three points clear of defending champions Arsenal, while they hold a six-point advantage over Liverpool heading into Sunday’s clash.

Manchester City’s fixtures list does not get any easier as they are due to face two-time Champions League winners PSG at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

Former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who has publicly iterated his support of the club after the verdict was announced, is understood to be attending the Champions League game with PSG next week.

In a statement released last week, Guardiola wrote on social media: “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.

“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

Manchester City have responded to the verdict by doubling down on their innocence, saying they were “both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission” in a statement.

The club says they have “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” that supports their position and will be “relentless” in their appeal.