Manchester City reporter REVEALS INSIGHT following Enzo Maresca's TENSE press conference

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Manchester City reporter Jamie Jackson on Enzo Maresca’s tense press conference over the charges

talkSPORT discusses Enzo Maresca’s press conference on the Manchester City charges. Jamie Jackson describes a tense but controlled room and analyses the possible impact on the players, Guardiola and the appeals process. The conclusion is that the case could drag on; if the findings are upheld, Jackson expects expulsion from the Premier League to be at least on the table.

Man City reporter Jamie Jackson explains all the details after Enzo Maresca's press conference ahead of Liverpool vs Manchester City in the Premier League! Subscribe: https://youtube.com/c/talkSPORT?subconfirmation=1 🏆 Ready to win? Check out the latest prizes at talkSPORTwin.com Enjoyed this YouTube video? 😍 🖥️ talkSPORT's Website: https://talksport.com/ 📲 talkSPORT's X/Twitter: https://x.com/talkSPORT 📷 talkSPORT's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talksport/?hl=en 👤 talkSPORT's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkSPORT/ 📱 talkSPORT's Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talksport ? 🔴 Download the talkSPORT app HERE! - https://talksport.com/apps/ 🔎 Want to see if you feature on our YouTube channel? Check out our Best talkSPORT callers playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFVMnSsi04LGLa9pS9xDvme-Gjmlu2 talkSPORT PremierLeague

Transcript

But anyway, the big story of the day is Enzo Maresca's press conference. He he took the stuff around the charges head-on. In the room was the Guardian's very own Jamie Jackson. Hi Jamie. >> Good afternoon. >> So, I tell you let's start with it before we get into the specifics. You've been to a lot of press conferences there. I mean, what what how how was this one different? What was what was the vibe in the room? Was there a bit of a buzz chatting to your fellow scribes about what you're about to witness and what your expectations were? >> I think so. I mean, there was 45 attendees, which is about a threefold increase on the normal sort of numbers. I would describe the atmosphere sort of like tense, but kind of in a controlled manner from Maresca. You know, he took all questions. Um he didn't necessarily answer all questions. Maybe sort of, you know, he sort of gave him a gave sort of clever responses. There's a lot of mentions of trust as in the club hierarchy. We're going to when when we win the appeal was a sort of a phrase as well. And there's a little bit there's a ongoing mention of I know why some of you are here as if to sort of acknowledge that there was there was sort of correspondence here who aren't necessarily here all the time. Um So, yeah. I mean, I've been in all of his press conferences basically, you know, the home ones so far of his tenure. And I would say it was a a very similar Maresca performance. But as I say, he it was a little bit more controlled and watchful and wary. You could understand why. >> It's going to happen every week this and as City do the better they do, the worse this becomes really because it just highlights it, doesn't it? And then people are really going to be on them. But I think he's right in as much as the players will just, you know, I think they will they'll just get on with it, won't they? >> Yeah, it's interesting. I think initially, like, you know, this game at Anfield on Sunday, what you're saying is right, Andy, but I just wonder if the odd result goes against them. >> Mhm. >> Uh it might start to sort of seep in then after a little bit of time. I remember when Rodri was injured in that that sort of game against Arsenal at first, Guardiola fixed it. Uh but you know, I think they went to Newcastle one, but then it started to tell after a little bit. And I'm not saying it's exactly going to be the same because of that happened. But I wouldn't be surprised if you know, there was a little bit of of this going on. I was interested to see that Nico Gonzalez, who was just left here, the first sort of City or ex-City player, to sort of say, "Well, actually, I didn't like the fact, you know, I'm paraphrasing here, I didn't like the fact that um you know, the uncertainty around the club. And you know, >> [snorts] >> you being a human or you wouldn't be human if that was not the case. You know, the these are human beings. I know they're highly remunerated, you know, paid very well. But, you know, the uncertainty cannot be great. Well, you know, they're always talking in elite sport about the extra percentages that help. Well, this is a I would say this is an extra percentage that does not help. >> What what percentage, Jamie, of the press conference was taken up with questions about the charges? I mean, what what point did they get to where someone said, "Anyway, Enzo, any knocks for Sunday?" >> I [laughter] I hear you. I would say 95%. The one sort of moment of levity with regard to this was was was was was when I um I believe a Norwegian journalist asked a simple football question about Erling Haaland, you know, how is he? Cuz obviously he came off or had to be replaced in his last game for Norway. And he actually said at last as I said as I said at last as in here's a football question. And he gave an answer about about that. Um you know, these ones slip up actually came in his very first answer. Maresca, he said, "I trust the the club at the moment." >> Uh my radar being a reporter >> sort of bleeped or bleeped on that a little bit. So, I went back to that when it was my turn to ask. And he sort of then clarified, so you know, you know, I trust the club in the moment and you know, in the future. But it was interesting, that was in his very first answer. And the question was not directly about that. It was more to do with his use of the adjective noise and if that sort of maybe dismissed those who were are towards the club. And he he did he slip up. It was noticeable. >> Knowing it was going to dominate the press conference, I I the the question I put to Mickey Gray yesterday, and you put to Maresca today, why is he sitting there on his own? Why somebody from the board? Once you've said you are going to address these questions, and you're going to expect the manager to take up 95% of his press conference doing that, why is one of the hierarchy not there? >> Well, when I asked this question, it was the only interjection from the city media officer that occurred throughout the press conference, and he basically said, well, you know, it's a Liverpool preview press conference. Maresca then said the same thing. So, again, this is what I'm talking about, you know, sort of batting away questions. Listen, he if he sits there, Maresca, and says, for example, I don't trust the club, then he's basically out of a job. I mean, he has to tow the party line. And, you know, he probably does trust trust the club at the moment. Uh but, you are right, you know, at some stage, I'm a Barrack, you know, the chairman, Soriano, chief executive, as I basically asked, you know, you would think they will answer questions, but I'm supposed they're going to say, well, there's an appeals process. We can't say too much, etc., etc. I'd actually, just broadening out a bit, I do think this is a bit of a sort of issue whereby managers often are the only sole focal point with regard to sort of questions that are are far, you know, far above them or not not within their sort of remit. Um but, yeah, you you know, it's kind of why I asked, because you just sort of wonder, well, you know, may maybe cuz the the pickle that city are in, it's certainly nothing to do with Maresca. You know what I mean? It's to do with the executive's choices. >> It's It's very interesting though. They play There is a little size of the players who are concerned, because Donnarumma's agent had to come out and say that he's received he's fine about it. He's received reassurances from Manchester City. So, yeah, they obviously asked the question. >> the moment the news broke a couple of weeks ago on during our show, they they would have been straight onto their agents. They wouldn't be human otherwise, asking questions. How does this affect me? What does it mean? What does it mean to our contract? What does it mean to my future? It's understandable, isn't it? >> Yeah, 100%. I think this is why you saw Haaland in a sort of pre-preemptive PR move yesterday along with Maresca, but Erling Haaland sort of say what he said yesterday because there's a party line, isn't there, that they're all going to tow publicly. But as you're as you're indicating as you're sort of saying, behind the scenes, why would you not ask? It's your livelihood. It's your life. It's your career. You're well within your rights to to be asking these questions and I you know, as as I'm sort of indicating, publicly the the advice from the club, from the agents, etc., etc., is well, you know, let's just keep a sort of lid on it. But it will be very interesting and I know it's going to be a long drawn-out process. I'll be surprised if if if say City lose the appeal, I'd be staggered and I'll use that word advisedly, but I would be staggered if that is the end of the process from City's point of view. So, what I'm saying is the appeal will be heard will finish just before Christmas. Any verdict, I think it's January. I think it's got to be a month afterwards, uh 30 days afterwards. So, you know, we could be getting to February and this still going on. And you know, I think we you sort of mentioned at the top of this conversation, imagine if City are sort of about to win the title or do win the title this season. What does that What's that going to mean if this is still ongoing? >> Mhm. It's a disaster. >> Did the club There's other managers have been asked and most have kind of straight-batted it, Premier League managers, but a couple have had things to say. Jose Mourinho's said he thinks he'll be 80 by the time the judgment comes out. And [laughter] and Ian Holloway, um, said, you know, "Get lost." I think the phrase was. >> Jamie, it's right. They're going to appeal the appeal and they're going to appeal the ban and you know, whatever sentence they get. >> Sure. >> It is going to go on. I I just wondered if either of those those managers' points were put to anybody in the room today. Did they mention what Jose said or Ian Holloway said? >> They weren't, but as Andy sort of said earlier in the conversation, this is going to run and run. So, no doubt, you know, those points and other points, um, will will be put um to Maresca, whoever it may be, you know, players in mix zone. I mean, it was interesting today the sort of the emotive adjective was I think it was five times mentioned in the Premier League sort of statement which was sham was not sort of put to Maresca about, you know, what what do you think about this is your club sort of dealings in this wrongdoing has been called a sham with regard to contracts etc. So, you know, again, I would expect that whenever you know, to come up. I mean, they've got obviously Liverpool on Sunday I'll be at the PSG game on Wednesday and then you know, the season runs and runs and they've got a high volume of games now in the next sort of two or three weeks. So, and all the time we're finding out more stuff or the ramifications and as you're sort of mentioned there about Ian Holloway and Mourinho, I would expect more, you know, managers, football luminaries or whatever you want to describe them to sort of have their say. Obviously, I know it's as you're saying Frank Lampard for example batted it away having been a player here for a year 2014 to 15. But, I do fully expect there to be more of this as a as this process goes on. >> Pep had an opportunity to keep his distance from this, didn't he Jamie? And he could have issued a statement but he's he's going to the PSG game which is a real show of support. He is sort of nailing his colors to the mast, isn't he? >> He's got to. He's got to. What else can he do? I mean, he he could keep he could he could physically keep a distance. The optics of being there in the stadium saluting the crowd saying I'm with you. I mean, there could have been a a middle ground between, you know, not throwing the club under the bus or denying everything or, you know, but he he's decided he's he's thrown his lot in basically by turning up for the game. >> Yeah, and I would guess that's because he fully believes in the club's innocence. I mean, again, I say that but I I would not be surprised if you know, he's questioning it privately because why would you not? But, you know, it is an interesting call by him but he all the time he'll be adamant, you know, this is a sort of famous quote he would manage them in League One or the Championship etc. etc. Um So, yeah, I mean, it will be interesting on You know, I'm guessing he'll be sort of I don't know for sure, but he'll probably sitting alongside Omar Berrada, Soriano, the sort of hierarchy again to sort of give that visible show of support. >> And so I didn't agree with is when Maresca said, um our records, our titles aren't tainted. And you sort of well, they are. As it stands at the moment, they are. You're defending that, but the charges have been issued. You found been found guilty by the Premier League. So, as things stand, they are tainted. It's your opportunity now to take the taint away, if you like. >> Yeah, I mean, you know, again, it was noticeable that that Maresca continually sort of said, "When we win the when the appeal." I mean, it seems a faint hope given, you know, I haven't I've not seen all the evidence. I've not read through it all, but just the sort of thing that sort of information that's available to everyone. You just wonder, you know, this defense of irrefutable evidence, well, why was it not there in the in the initial case? And I actually I I think it might have been, and it's sort of been rejected. So, it just seems a little bit tenuous, but you know, they're fighting for their lives, so I I can understand why they are doing that. >> Mhm. And just finally, Jamie, probably wouldn't have escaped you and a few of your colleagues pointed it out that the picture that emerged yesterday of a smiling Maresca, he'd nicked your look. >> [laughter] >> He'd gone He'd gone the full Jamie. There he is. Look, there he is. It Jamie, I saw him as well with a nice pair of >> looked really miserable. >> got Look at that. He's just big big grin on his face. He thought he was trying to get you on side before the press conference. >> I I can give you the exclusive now. I think Enzo Maresca and I are going to open a sort of clothing line. >> [laughter] >> Um maybe called maybe called maybe called an Andy's sort of experience in the in the in the sort of clothes straight from from a few years ago. So, there you go. >> Start a little boutique in Open another boutique, Andy. >> Yeah, you like having Bestie back. >> want to ask Jamie this because it's something I've thought about and mentioned last week on the show. I mean, do you think ultimately in the end there'll be some kind of fudge with this, some kind of compromise, some kind of just some way that it isn't what people think it will be. But, or do you think if they are found guilty, it will be a draconian, you know, punishment? Punishment. >> Yeah, I mean, you know, I obviously I'm not a lawyer, it's just my opinion, but I would expect expulsion from the Premier League to be the sort of minimum really, just because of the severity and the scale of the wrongdoing. So, I don't know. Non-league football, is that is is that on the table? I think it is. Whether that will happen, I I just don't know. But, this is why it's so interesting. We talk about uncharted ter- territory. It's it's, you know, this is completely fresh ground, and that's what I'm talking about with the ramifications. It seems with each week you get a little bit more information, you digest that, and then you sort of say, "Okay, so this could then mean X, Y, and Z." And, you know, I don't know. I I I would be surprised if this case is over, as in that's it, uh by the end of the season. >> Oh, yeah. I totally agree with you on that one. Thank you, Jamie. Thanks for sticking around there, and uh good to talk to you as always. >> Thank you. >> Jamie Jackson there, the Guardian's man in Manchester. The thing is, so many people are invested, all the other Premier League clubs are invested, quite a lot of other European clubs are invested who took them on in Champions League or whatever. So, it's not just justice being done, it is the old justice being seen to be done, and everybody wanting their pound of flesh. We've still got a number of Premier League clubs reserving the right to personally go after Manchester City if they are ultimately found guilty and lose the appeal for compensation. So, it's going to be in draconian. It's It's got to be, isn't it? I mean, I'm sure it'll be a very This is why I don't understand why you can't issue the charges now. You can't say, "This is what's going to happen if you lose the appeal." And then, if there are certain elements of the charges that they can pick away at in their defense, maybe some of that gets stripped away, but I think people want I mean, you know, look, it's also but people want their pound of flesh at the moment. They want to know what we're talking about. We talking about a fine? We talking about a 50-point penalty? Are we talking about playing in the Northern Prem? What are we talking about cuz no one really knows, do they? >> No. >> Anyway, we'll turn away from that um and talk a bit of racing, bit of golf, and a bit of football with uh Rupert Bell because they've just had the Tattersalls yearling sales and uh they've been paying a lot of money the big hitters for potential. >> Yeah, I hadn't planned on spending 4 million. I got a bit >> well done, Andy. >> carried away. >> Look out for Andy's uh What are you going What would you call your horse? What's the point? And it's What's the point from you? Anyway, Rupert Bell coming up next. 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