Jose Mourinho has once again made headlines, this time by suggesting he still has a shot at winning the Premier League with Manchester United—if Manchester City faces severe punishment following their 115 charges for alleged financial breaches.
These charges, brought by the Premier League, cover the period between 2009 and 2018 and have created widespread speculation about the potential consequences for City.
The long-awaited hearing regarding these charges commenced last month, with a verdict expected to be delivered by the end of this year or early 2025. If Manchester City is found guilty, the club could face a range of penalties, from points deductions and fines to transfer bans and, perhaps most dramatically, being stripped of the titles they secured during the period under investigation.
City lifted three Premier League titles during the years in question, while teams like Liverpool and Manchester United finished runners-up in certain seasons. Mourinho’s United came second in the 2017/18 season, and Liverpool also missed out in 2013/14, finishing behind City. The Red Devils had another near miss in 2011/12, finishing second once again to their city rivals. All of these seasons are within the scope of the charges.
Currently managing Fenerbahce, Mourinho found a clever way to address Manchester City’s ongoing case when asked about Manchester United ahead of Fenerbahce’s Europa League match. The Portuguese tactician couldn’t resist making a cheeky remark.
Referring to his achievements with Manchester United, Mourinho told reporters: “We won the Europa League in 2017, and we finished second in the Premier League in 2018. I think we might still have a chance to win that Premier League because maybe they will punish Manchester City with a points deduction, and then we’ll win the league. If that happens, they’ll owe me a medal and a bonus!”
Mourinho’s grin at the end of his statement didn’t go unnoticed, as he humorously envisioned a scenario where his second-place finish in the 2017/18 season could be converted into a title. That season, City had been utterly dominant, finishing with 100 points—19 points ahead of United—to become the Premier League’s first-ever centurions. However, with the serious nature of the financial charges against City, even their most celebrated triumphs have become tinged with controversy.
The Premier League and English football as a whole are facing an unprecedented situation. If Manchester City is found guilty of the financial breaches, the potential fallout could reshape the league’s history. Stripping titles from City and re-awarding them to other clubs would have significant implications. For example, Liverpool, who finished second in 2013/14, could see their Premier League tally increase to 20, tying them with Manchester United’s current record. United themselves, having finished second in 2011/12 and 2017/18, could potentially see their league title count rise to 22.
This hypothetical scenario would significantly alter the landscape of English football. The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, already intense due to their historic competition for supremacy, would gain even more significance if their title tallies were affected by the outcome of City’s case.
Mourinho is unlikely to be the only figure in football keeping a close eye on the investigation. Several managers, players, and clubs stand to benefit if City’s titles are revoked. Many fans and pundits have long speculated on the impact of Manchester City’s financial practices, and a guilty verdict could confirm the suspicions of those who have questioned the legitimacy of their success during the period in question.
On the other side of the debate, Manchester City and their manager, Pep Guardiola, continue to maintain their innocence. Guardiola has consistently defended the club, pushing back against what he perceives as an overwhelming desire to see City fall. In a recent interview, the Spaniard remarked, “I’m sorry, but I want to defend my club, especially in these modern times when everyone expects not just that we will be relegated, but that we’ll disappear off the face of the Earth.”
Guardiola’s comments reflect the sense of persecution that City feels amid the ongoing investigations. Whether their fears will materialize remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the result of this hearing will have major repercussions for Manchester City and the entire Premier League.
As the case unfolds, the football world is watching closely. Mourinho’s playful suggestion about title reallocation may seem far-fetched, but it highlights just how much could change if Manchester City faces significant penalties. From points deductions to stripping titles, the potential outcomes could lead to a reshuffling of Premier League history, with Mourinho, ever the opportunist, keen to remind everyone that he might just end up as a Premier League winner once again—albeit six years after the fact.
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