Manchester City’s players trained together for the first time on Thursday since the club were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League, with head coach Enzo Maresca urging his squad to stay focused and positive.
The session came nine days after the Premier League published a report stating that City had used “sham” contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. The club’s international players returned to training on Thursday, having been away with their respective nations when news of the verdicts broke. Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager, had been expected to address the group once they reported back for domestic duty.
City have launched an appeal and have publicly maintained their innocence, and the private communication to those with links to the playing staff at the club has been equally emphatic. The head coach is understood to have asked his players not to allow the crisis that has engulfed the club to affect their attitude and focus, with the Premier League campaign getting back under way this weekend.
Striker Erling Haaland echoed his manager’s message, telling Sky Sports before Sunday’s trip to Liverpool: “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. 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.”
As Premier League football returns following a three-week hiatus, rival clubs are proving reluctant to let their managers speak about the City verdict publicly. Managers and head coaches, including Maresca on Friday, will be asked to comment on the matter during compulsory pre-match press conferences, but it is understood a number of clubs have already taken a clear stance that their managers should not comment.
Some Premier League news conferences were held on Thursday, and Coventry boss Frank Lampard, Leeds head coach Daniel Farke and Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle all steered clear of commenting at length. 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.”
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, he added: “It’s not my role to talk about a punishment or how much. I just can’t answer that one.”