Enzo Maresca says he could lead Manchester City back to the Premier League if the club is relegated following its financial charges

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has indicated that he would be willing to lead the club through the Championship and fight for promotion should the reigning Premier League side be relegated over its alleged financial rule breaches.

Also read: Haaland Urges Man City to Stay United Amid Financial Crisis

The Italian made the remarks on Friday, October 9, 2026, while addressing the media ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Maresca referred to his previous success with Leicester City, whom he guided to the Championship title and promotion to the top flight, suggesting he would be prepared to take on a similar challenge with City if necessary.

“I won the Championship with Leicester, League One, we will see,” he said.

His comments come as Manchester City faces continued uncertainty surrounding a long-running case involving alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

An independent commission recently found Manchester City responsible for the allegations described in the report concerning financial regulations over a nine-year period, from the 2009/10 to the 2017/18 seasons, as well as most of the allegations relating to the club’s alleged failure to co-operate with the investigation.

The club submitted an appeal in early October, according to the report.

The potential consequences of the case have attracted significant attention, with speculation over possible sanctions, including a points deduction and relegation.

However, relegation remains a hypothetical outcome in the scenario discussed by Maresca, and the final consequences of the proceedings should not be treated as settled while the appeal process is ongoing.

The City manager acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but stressed that his immediate responsibility was to keep the team focused on football.

“You cannot avoid it, we completely understand the seriousness of the situation. It is our duty, our job to focus on the games,” Maresca said.

Manchester City’s immediate challenge is a difficult trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday, with Maresca anticipating a demanding atmosphere.

The manager acknowledged that the ongoing controversy surrounding the club could intensify the reception from Liverpool supporters.

“It will be a tough game, tough test. We need to be ready. The focus has to be about the team; it may be even worse because of the situation,” he said.

Despite the expected pressure, Maresca expressed confidence in his players’ ability to handle a hostile environment.

He pointed to midfielder Enzo Fernández’s experience of playing in Argentina, where intense crowd reactions are common.

“They can absolutely face the pressure. We have players who have faced similar atmospheresatmospheres. We have Enzo Fernandez. In Argentina, it is like this every game,” he added.

Maresca’s experience with Leicester City provides a relevant reference point for his comments about a possible Championship campaign.

His Leicester side won the second-tier title and secured promotion to the Premier League, demonstrating his familiarity with the demands of a promotion challenge.

For now, however, Manchester City remain focused on their Premier League campaign while the legal process continues.

Also read: Haaland Urges Man City to Stay United Amid Financial Crisis

Maresca’s remarks indicate that he would be prepared to face a potential relegation scenario, but the club’s immediate priorities remain the Liverpool fixture and its response to the ongoing proceedings.