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Manchester City’s new manager has had opportunity to respond to the club’s 115 charges for the first time.
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Enzo Maresca was at the club when the charges were first put to the Etihad Stadium side in February 2023.
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In his first press conference as City boss, the Italian was quizzed on whether he is concerned by the issue.
Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca has been quizzed for the first time on the club’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
The 46-year-old, who has replaced Pep Guardiola as Manchester City’s manager after 10 years under the Catalan’s guidance, has fulfilled his first week at the City Football Academy having left Chelsea last winter.
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City are currently working with a restricted senior first-team squad at their Manchester training base, with the majority of big-name stars on holiday owing to their FIFA World Cup duties throughout the summer.
As such, Enzo Maresca is expected to name a largely inexperienced squad list when City travel to Far-East Asia next week for a three-game pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea, with matches against Inter, K-League All-Stars, and Atletico Madrid.
And while the majority of his debut media duties with national media was dominated by questions on his predecessor and transfer plans for the remainder of the summer market, one reporter opted for a different angle.
Enzo Maresca responds to Man City’s 115 charges
Speaking to the media for the first time on Friday afternoon, Enzo Maresca was quizzed by The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson on what assurances the club had given him that they will be in the clear of their alleged financial rule breaches.
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“The only thing I can say is that three years ago, the Treble season, I was here and it was the same words about this kind of problem. In three years, it’s still the same,” admitted Maresca.
He continued, “So nothing has happened. I don’t have anything to say because it’s something that is there, but again the only thing I can say is that the way the organisation is working shows how serious they are, how good they are, bringing titles and more things.”
Continuing on whether he personally harbours any concerns around the matter, the Italian said in response, “Me? No. No, to be honest.”
What are Enzo Maresca’s main concerns right now?
Maresca is likely to be more concerned about the state of his Manchester City squad, and ensuring that he has the strongest possible options to compete for the biggest honours come the start of the 2026/27 season.
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City will begin their competitive campaign with the FA Community Shield against Arsenal in South Wales on Sunday 16 August, before turning attentions to matchday one of the Premier League as Marco Rose’s Bournemouth visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August.
The current belief is that the final stars who appeared at the World Cup will return to Manchester City training from their respective holidays in the week leading up to the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season.
At this stage, it remains to be seen just how many situations will be rectified concerning the club’s names that face doubtful futures, and most particularly that of Rodri – who continues to attract serious attention from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid working on deal to sign Manchester City’s Rodri