Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could get his own wish surrounding previous titles at the club, following a supposed outcome from the Manchester City trial.
Jurgen Klopp, Head Coach of Germany, reacts as he speaks to the media during the Press Conference ahead of the Nations League match between Netherlands and Germany
Jurgen Klopp's old jibe at Manchester City may come true(Image: (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images))
Jurgen Klopp's previous jibe at Manchester City could come true, following reported revelations surrounding the club's case with the Premier League.
A report from The Athletic revealed that Man City has been found guilty on all but one of its 115 charges brought against it by the Premier League, which could bring an end to the long-running saga between the division and one of its clubs.
It follows a case spanning years, with the top-flight of English soccer placing charges on the club in February 2023, alleging breaches of rules that took place between 2009 and 2018.
Those allegations included suggestions that Man City failed to provide accurate financial information, along with breaches of the league's financial rules. Man City immediately refuted the claims, stating that it welcomed the review from an independent body.
With over three years passing from the initial charges to now, the update on the outcome brings about some potential closure on the case. However, Man City is expected to lodge an appeal, which would delay the possibility of a sanction, should it be found that the club will receive one.
The sanctions themselves are wide-ranging, with many different potential outcomes. That could include the possible stripping of previous titles, depending on what is deemed appropriate.
If the stripping of previous titles is on the cards, that could see other teams handed titles for finishing second. It would include the Premier League titles in 2011/12, 2013/14, and 2017/18, while it may also include the 2018/19 season, though it's unclear whether that is on the cards.
If that is the case, however, then Liverpool may be handed a title for the 2018/19 campaign, having finished second that season under Klopp, along with the 2013/14 title with Brendan Rodgers. The former manager has already made a joke about that possibility, suggesting he would go on a bus tour if that were to happen.
Germany manager Jurgen Klopp.
Germany manager Jurgen Klopp.
Speaking back in May 2024 during a Q&A session with comedian John Bishop, Klopp claimed that Man City was a banned topic for him to discuss, but he couldn't help but make a dig at the club. “If you organize a bus parade, I’m in," the former head coach said at the possibility of receiving backdated trophies. "How long it takes, I don’t care how long."
It's unclear whether that possibility will come about, with a verdict yet to be made official, while any Man City appeal against the process will likely drag out the final outcome one way or another.
Then comes the question of what the sanction will be. If it is stripped titles, then it's uncertain whether the 2018/19 season will fall within the time period of the charges, which spanned 2009 to 2018, while the 2021/22 title is unlikely to be stripped regardless of the outcome, as it didn't fall within that time period.
It sets up yet another intriguing wait to see the final outcome for both the Premier League and Man City, with a verdict likely to shock the world and the teams in the league as a result.
In the meantime, Liverpool will be firmly focused on its next game, which just so happens to be against City at Anfield in early October.