Enzo Maresca's Bizarre Social Media Post Amid Man City Verdict

· GiveMeSport

Enzo Maresca makes bizarre social media comment as news of Man City's guilty verdict breaks.

Few will envy Enzo Maresca right now. He only took charge of Manchester City during the summer, but will now have to face a media storm regarding their past indiscretions.

The Cityzens have been found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The charges, however, relate to a time frame of 2009-2018, so Maresca cannot be directly linked with any wrongdoing since taking charge. He even worked as an assistant at the club prior to taking over from Pep Guardiola, but that was also after 2018.

Still, he will now have to deal with the fallout, and his first public appearance appears to have been a series of bizarre social media posts.

As per the Daily Mail, around the time that the news broke over City's guilt, with Maresca aware of the news, he posted five pictures on Instagram with the caption:

> "Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn."

He shared photos of his feet on grass, time by the pool, and him socialising around a table, while also including a Socrates quote:

> "The only thing I know is that I know nothing."

As it's the international break, the Italian will not be expected to face the press for the next few weeks. It remains to be seen if he gives a more direct statement on things in the meantime.

Man City, however, have issued a response to the news, stating to The Athletic via a spokesperson:

> "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. “The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Should Manchester City lose the 'trial of the century', the Reds could be rewarded with silverware.

Maresca has been quizzed about the topic before. After taking over, he was asked what assurances the club had given him over their financial rule breaches. “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 added: “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.”

It's not yet clear what the sanctions will be – and Man City plan to appeal – but there is already much talk about likely punishments. It's notable that some sites have suspended betting on the Premier League club being relegated this season.

There is also talk that they could be stripped of any titles won between 2009 and 2018, with Rio Ferdinand quickly suggesting he could be in line for a new trophy to add to the six leagues he won with Manchester United. If this does happen, Liverpool would pick up an extra title, and the Red Devils would get two.

A large fine, a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, and transfer bans have all also been touted as potential sanctions the club could face after being found guilty.

If the club are relegated, Maresca does at least have Championship experience, having led Leicester City to promotion as they won the second division title in 2023/24.

Read the original

People in this story

Related