The situation is highkey tense

Enzo Maresca is officially playing it cool, but the vibes are definitely off for Manchester City right now. The manager just broke his silence on the massive guilty verdict related to the club's 115 financial rule breaches, and he is not committing to staying if the club loses their upcoming appeal.

While the club is currently denying any wrongdoing, an appeal is expected before the holidays, with a final verdict dropping early next year. When asked if he’d walk away if the situation turns south—similar to how Pep Guardiola famously said he’d leave if he were lied to—Maresca didn't give a straight answer. "I would like to speak about this situation when we’re going to win the appeal," he said. "It’s no sense to speak about anything because I don’t have many pieces of information."

Staying in the zone

Despite the drama, Maresca is staying focused on the immediate future. He’s not here for the hypotheticals, even when asked about the possibility of the club being kicked out of the Premier League. When reminded that he won the Championship with Leicester, he quipped, "In case we [are in] League One, we’re going to see."

As for the club's past trophies, he’s not letting the "noise" get to him. He defended the team’s legacy, saying, "I know the effort from the players, the club, the manager. I know the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target so I don’t have any doubt about that."

What’s next for the squad?

City is sitting at the top of the league with 15 points from five games, and they’re heading to Anfield this Sunday. Maresca says the team is locked in and doing their best to tune out the external drama. "It’s our duty, our job, to try to control the noise," he added. Plus, for the fans worried about the star striker: Erling Haaland is confirmed fit and ready for the match.

Why it matters

Manchester City is the center of a massive financial controversy that could fundamentally change the club's status in English football. Maresca’s refusal to commit long-term shows just how fragile the situation is, even while the team is currently crushing it on the pitch.