What Happens If Manchester City Are Stripped of Their Titles? The Potential Winners Revealed
Manchester City’s ongoing case regarding 115 alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018 remains one of the most talked-about sagas in modern football history.
While the Premier League’s investigation and proceedings continue behind closed doors, fans across the globe are asking one major question: If Manchester City are found guilty and retroactively stripped of their domestic titles, who would be crowned champions?
Here is a breakdown of the clubs that stand to inherit trophies across the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Community Shield from that nine-year period.
🏆 Premier League
If City’s Premier League titles between 2009 and 2018 are reallocated to the runners-up of those respective seasons, Manchester United and Liverpool would be the direct beneficiaries:
Manchester United: 🏆🏆 (2011/12 & 2017/18)
Liverpool: 🏆 (2013/14)
For Manchester United, gaining two additional league titles would take their grand total to a record 22 Premier League crowns, while Liverpool would add a historic title to the Brendan Rodgers era.
🏆 FA Cup
The 2011 FA Cup final saw Manchester City defeat Stoke City 1–0 to claim their first major trophy under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.
Stoke City: 🏆 (2010/11)
Should the title be reassigned, Stoke City would secure their first-ever FA Cup trophy in the club’s history.
🏆 League Cup (EFL Cup)
During the period under investigation, Manchester City lifted the League Cup three times. Stripping those titles would see trophies distributed across three different clubs:
Sunderland: 🏆 (2013/14)
Liverpool: 🏆 (2015/16)
Arsenal: 🏆 (2017/18)
Sunderland’s memorable run to Wembley in 2014 would retroactively yield a major piece of silverware, while Liverpool and Arsenal would each add another domestic cup to their honors list.
🛡️ Community Shield
The traditional season-opener saw Manchester City secure victories over Chelsea in both 2012 and 2018.
Chelsea: 🏆🏆 (2012 & 2018)
The Big Question: Will Titles Actually Be Reallocated?
While stripping titles is a potential punishment under Premier League regulations, reallocating trophies to runners-up is not automatic. The independent commission handling the case holds vast discretionary powers—ranging from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the league or leaving past seasons entirely without an official winner.
Regardless of the outcome, the potential redistribution of these titles highlights just how much the English football landscape could be rewritten if the allegations are proven.
