Enzo Maresca posted a cryptic message quoting the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates after reports emerged over Manchester City’s Premier League financial charges.
Reports on Friday claimed an independent panel had found the vast majority of more than 100 charges against Man City proven.
The Premier League has not published the commission’s decision, and City insist the process remains ongoing, with “significant elements” still to be completed.
Maresca did not refer directly to the case in his Instagram post, but its timing attracted attention following Friday’s reports.
Maresca turns to Socrates after City reports
The City manager posted:
“The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”
He followed that with:
“Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
Maresca offered no further explanation and did not explicitly connect either message to the Premier League case. His post was highlighted by The Guardian in its coverage of the reaction to Friday’s developments. It comes during a strong start to the season for City. Maresca’s side have been in prolific form this month, as we examined in our piece on City’s midfield overhaul and seven straight wins.
City maintain position as process continues
City were originally charged by the Premier League in February 2023 over alleged breaches covering a period stretching across several seasons.
The club have consistently denied wrongdoing. Following Friday’s reports, City said the Premier League process “remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality”.
No sanction has been publicly announced and the Premier League has not published the commission’s findings. Sky Sports News understands that the process is moving towards the appeal stage. City themselves have not publicly announced a formal appeal.
Gallagher, Bernstein and Nandy react to reports
Maresca was not the only prominent figure to respond to the latest developments. Noel Gallagher, one of City’s most famous supporters, told Times Radio he had been surprised by the reports after the assurances supporters had previously received from the club.
“A little surprised when I heard it on the radio. Surprised because only that the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges.”
Asked whether the reports changed how he viewed what City had already won, Gallagher said:
“Our focus as fans is always on the pitch and we know what we saw – they won it on the pitch.”
Former City chairman David Bernstein also spoke to Times Radio and said a financial penalty alone would not be enough if the reported findings ultimately stand.
“All I would say is that money is not sufficient, it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that.”
His comments were also covered by The Independent. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commented on the uncertainty surrounding the case rather than suggesting what punishment should follow.
“We do have a way to go with this, it’s very unsettling for football fans and I hope that it can be resolved as swiftly as possible.”
Maresca offers no explanation for cryptic post
Maresca’s contribution was very different from the more direct reactions elsewhere. There was no reference to the Premier League, the reported findings or what might happen next. Instead, City’s manager chose a Socrates quote followed by six words of his own: “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
The timing inevitably prompted interest, but Maresca has not said that the message concerned City’s case. That is where his public position stands for now.
The Premier League process continues away from the pitch, while Maresca and his players head into the international break after a perfect start to their league season.
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