Klopp rules out expecting new Premier League titles after Man City's guilty verdict

Jurgen Klopp has distanced himself from any expectation of being awarded additional Premier League titles after Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial rule breach charges brought against them.

An independent panel ruled that City violated Premier League financial regulations across a period spanning 2009 to 2018. The League confirmed the verdict on Tuesday, while City responded with a defiant statement claiming they hold a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence. The club, who were first charged in 2023, will appeal the decision.

Should the appeal fail, City face potentially severe sanctions — including substantial fines, points deductions, removal from the Premier League, or the stripping of titles won during the relevant period. It is those last two possibilities that drew Klopp into the conversation.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Germany’s Nations League fixture against Serbia on Thursday, the former Liverpool manager was asked whether he had considered the prospect of his old club being handed a title retroactively. “Of course I’ve heard about that, but I haven’t given it much thought,” Klopp said. “I can only wait and see.”

Klopp, who left Anfield in the summer of 2024 after nine years in charge, was measured in his assessment of City’s situation. “I have big respect for Pep Guardiola and City’s style of football; they played fantastic football and were a top class opponent for us,” he said. “If any sanctions are handed out, I have nothing to do with it; I’ll wait and see.”

He was equally clear about his own state of mind. “I’m far from preparing for a title or anything like that. I’m absolutely fine with what we’ve achieved in Liverpool. We fought hard on the pitch.”

Guardiola also addressed the verdict publicly on Wednesday, posting a message on Instagram directed at City’s supporters. “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he wrote. “Let me be clear: we will get through this together.”

City’s appeal process is expected to be lengthy, meaning any final resolution on sanctions — and the question of whether titles could be redistributed — remains some way off.