Maresca tells Man City players to stay focused and positive

What the report says

Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has urged his players to keep their focus and maintain a positive mindset as the squad returned to training following the club’s guilty verdicts in the Premier League financial case, BBC Sport reports. The international players were back at the training ground on Thursday, with the team reassembling after a period away on international duty and after the league’s findings dominated attention around the club.

According to the BBC’s report, Maresca spoke to the group as City resumed domestic preparations for the restart of the Premier League season this weekend. The message was understood to be that the off-field crisis should not affect attitude or concentration. The article says the club is facing one of the most serious disputes in English football, with the Premier League having published a report alleging serious rule breaches, while City have launched an appeal and continue to deny wrongdoing.

Striker Erling Haaland echoed the call for unity in comments to Sky Sports before City’s trip to Liverpool on Sunday, stressing the importance of sticking together and staying positive. The BBC also noted that other Premier League managers have largely avoided detailed public comment on the case, with several saying it is not their place to judge while the appeal process continues. The situation matters because it could have major consequences for Manchester City and for the wider league once the case is resolved.