In a playful jab at his former club and their rivals, José Mourinho recently suggested that he could be in line to win a fourth Premier League title with Manchester United, if Manchester City are stripped of their 2017-2018 crown. The Portuguese manager, now at the helm of Turkish side Fenerbahçe, made the cheeky remark ahead of his team’s Europa League clash against the Red Devils.
Mourinho’s Tongue-in-Cheek Claim
During a pre-match press conference, Mourinho couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a playful dig at the current situation surrounding Manchester City’s alleged financial irregularities. With a mischievous grin, he quipped:
“If they end up losing that 2017-2018 title, well, I suppose that means I could technically win a fourth Premier League trophy with United, doesn’t it? Stranger things have happened in football!”
José Mourinho, Fenerbahçe Manager
The comment was a clear reference to the ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s financial dealings, which could potentially result in the club being stripped of their Premier League title from the 2017-2018 season – a campaign in which Mourinho’s United finished second.
A Subtle Jab at United’s Treatment
Mourinho also took the opportunity to contrast the way Manchester United have handled their current manager, Erik ten Hag, with the treatment he received during his tenure at Old Trafford. The Portuguese tactician noted that the club has shown “trust and stability” in ten Hag, even after a challenging start to his reign.
This subtle jab at United’s hierarchy hints at the tumultuous end to Mourinho’s time at the club, where he was dismissed midway through the 2018-2019 season following a string of disappointing results and reported tensions with the board.
Mourinho’s Premier League Legacy
José Mourinho is no stranger to Premier League success, having won three titles during his two spells with Chelsea. His first stint at Stamford Bridge saw him guide the Blues to back-to-back championships in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, while his second spell yielded another triumph in the 2014-2015 season.
Despite his best efforts, Mourinho was unable to replicate that success during his time at Manchester United. The closest he came was the aforementioned second-place finish in 2017-2018, a season in which Manchester City set a new record for points earned in a single Premier League campaign.
The Implications of a Stripped Title
While Mourinho’s comments were clearly made in jest, they do raise an interesting question: what would happen if Manchester City were indeed stripped of their 2017-2018 title? In such a scenario, it’s unlikely that the crown would simply be awarded to the second-placed team, which in this case was Manchester United.
Instead, the title would likely be left vacant, as was the case when Juventus were stripped of their 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Serie A titles in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal. This would mean that, while Mourinho’s United wouldn’t be officially recognized as champions, they would be remembered as the team that finished closest to the top in a tainted season.
Focusing on the Present
For now, Mourinho’s focus will be squarely on his current role at Fenerbahçe and the upcoming Europa League tie against his former club. The Turkish giants will be hoping to spring a surprise against a United side that has shown signs of improvement under ten Hag’s guidance.
As for the ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s financial dealings, the football world will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds. If the club is found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, the repercussions could be significant, potentially altering the landscape of English football in the process.
Regardless of the outcome, Mourinho’s playful remarks serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game and the enduring allure of Premier League glory. Whether he’ll ever add a fourth title to his collection remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Special One knows how to grab headlines, even when he’s not directly involved in the story.
While Mourinho’s comments were clearly made in jest, they do raise an interesting question: what would happen if Manchester City were indeed stripped of their 2017-2018 title? In such a scenario, it’s unlikely that the crown would simply be awarded to the second-placed team, which in this case was Manchester United.
Instead, the title would likely be left vacant, as was the case when Juventus were stripped of their 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Serie A titles in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal. This would mean that, while Mourinho’s United wouldn’t be officially recognized as champions, they would be remembered as the team that finished closest to the top in a tainted season.
Focusing on the Present
For now, Mourinho’s focus will be squarely on his current role at Fenerbahçe and the upcoming Europa League tie against his former club. The Turkish giants will be hoping to spring a surprise against a United side that has shown signs of improvement under ten Hag’s guidance.
As for the ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s financial dealings, the football world will have to wait and see how the situation unfolds. If the club is found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, the repercussions could be significant, potentially altering the landscape of English football in the process.
Regardless of the outcome, Mourinho’s playful remarks serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game and the enduring allure of Premier League glory. Whether he’ll ever add a fourth title to his collection remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Special One knows how to grab headlines, even when he’s not directly involved in the story.
