Former manager Tony Pulis has asserted that Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca must instill a “siege mentality” within his squad as the club confronts intense scrutiny following allegations of Premier League financial rule breaches.
Pulis, writing in his weekly column for BBC Sport, suggests that if he were in charge, his primary psychological message to the players would be one of defiance: ignoring external criticism and proving detractors wrong through performance on the pitch.
The guidance comes as City prepare for a crucial away fixture against Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday. The team is returning from international duty directly into a media storm fueled by relentless allegations regarding the club’s financial conduct over more than a decade.
Pulis notes that while the players are not personally implicated in the alleged violations, they should anticipate hostile receptions from away supporters. “City will be vilified by everyone else,” he wrote, adding that fans at opposing grounds are expected to “bay for their blood.”
According to Pulis, Maresca’s first task is to reassure his squad that the club will not waver in its defense of its position, its staff, and its supporters. Once that security is established, the manager should demand total focus on professional duties.
“I would then expect every player to concentrate on what they are being paid for, which is to win games,” Pulis stated. He emphasized that no excuses regarding off-field matters would be tolerated, calling it his “final word on the matter.”
Beyond the immediate tactical and mental preparation, Pulis also questioned the fairness and effectiveness of current Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. He highlighted the massive financial disparities in modern football, where top clubs exchange billions in transfer fees and pay over £100m for individual players.
Pulis argued that while FFP rules aim to regulate spending, larger clubs often circumvent them by acquiring young talent from smaller academies for minimal “compensation” fees, only to sell them later for significant profit without breaching regulations.
He pointed to clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth, and Brentford as examples of organizations achieving success through smart business rather than vast financial resources. In contrast, he noted that wealthy owners and corporations now dominate the Premier League, replacing the era of local business owners.
Pulis concluded that while negative attention is currently fixed on Manchester City, the league needs a system that rewards intelligence and ambition from all clubs. “Doing the right thing should give everyone the chance to compete at the highest level,” he said.
Players should focus on football, obviously. But surely transparency from the club matters too?
Interesting take on FFP loopholes with Brighton and Brentford. The game has changed significantly since Pulis was managing.
Siege mentality sounds dramatic. I just want them to win at Anfield without distractions.
Pulis makes a fair point about the financial rules favoring the rich. But can City really ignore this much noise?