MANCHESTER — Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola as manager, addressed his full squad together for the first time since the club was found guilty of the majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The club's international players returned to training on Thursday, nine days after the Premier League published a damning report stating the club had used "sham" contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830m, with the league campaign set to resume this weekend with Sunday's trip to Liverpool.
Striker Erling Haaland echoed his manager's message in an interview with Sky Sports before the Liverpool match. "I care a lot about this place. I spent my first four years here, it's a special place for us. I care a lot about City and the fans. I am a fan myself. I feel with them," Haaland said. "The fans will have a good time on Sunday - we have to stick together. We have to stay with each other and stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to smile. Stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and enjoy the situation," he added. "We have to stick together and spread the love to each other. Enjoy the ride and smile."
It is understood Maresca asked his players not to allow the crisis that has engulfed the club to affect their attitude and focus. BBC Sport reported this week that Maresca would address the players upon their return to domestic duty after news of the verdicts broke while the majority of the squad were away with their respective nations. City have launched an appeal and have publicly maintained their innocence, and the private communication to those with links to the playing staff has been equally as emphatic, it is understood.
As Premier League soccer returns following a three-week hiatus, rival clubs are proving reluctant to let their managers speak publicly about the City verdict. Managers and head coaches — including Maresca on Friday — will be asked to comment during compulsory pre-match press conferences, but it is understood a number of clubs have already taken a clear stance for their managers not to comment. Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle said: "I think as a manager of another club I am not able to judge and it is not my job. Especially it is not in my job description. The authorities are taking care of it, a process will be followed, and speaking on behalf of the whole club it is our job to focus on our job and preparing for [the match against Coventry on] Monday. On behalf of the club, we should focus on what we can influence. Just focus on what we can do better and what we can influence on the pitch." Coventry boss Frank Lampard, who played for Manchester City in the 2014-15 season, said: "What can you say when an appeal is going on? I'm not inside the story, I'm outside it completely. I played for Man City a long time ago now for one year, but we'll wait and see what the result of the appeal is and onwards. I don't know the timelines at all. I'm outside the loop. I'm not dodging the question. I just don't feel it's an answer for me to give." Asked what the punishment should be, Lampard added: "It's not my role to talk about a punishment or how much. I just can't answer that one." Leeds head coach Daniel Farke also steered clear of commenting at length on Thursday.
Maresca is scheduled to face the media Friday ahead of the Liverpool trip as attention turns back to the field. The developments follow Guardiola's defiant response after the guilty verdict and come as City prepare their appeal against the Premier League's findings.