English Clubs in Line For Trophies if Man City Have Titles Stripped

· GiveMeSport

Every English club that could be in line for a trophy if Man City have all their titles stripped, with Arsenal, Spurs, and Liverpool all featured.

In 2026, an independent Commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. It now looks as though the success the club has enjoyed in recent years will forever be tainted.

The cheating in question took place between 2009 and 2018, but many will look at every bit of silverware won by Man City since the 2008 Abu Dhabi takeover with wary eyes. There has been plenty of talk about what sanctions the Etihad side should now face as a consequence of their actions.

One of the most popular discussed punishments would see the Cityzens stripped of all their titles. With that in mind, here's a look at which English clubs would, in theory, inherit a trophy if Man City were to have all their past success scrubbed from the record.

Between 2009 and 2018, Man City only won three Premier League titles. In the years since, however, they've added five more, taking their overall tally to eight.

Only Manchester United, with 13, have won more. That would change greatly if Man City were stripped of their titles. Indeed, the Red Devils would suddenly increase their total to 16 Premier League wins – which would also give Man Utd their first successes in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Liverpool would also benefit from the sum of three more titles. Steven Gerrard could finally become a Premier League winner, as he would have actually triumphed alongside Brendan Rodgers and Luis Suarez in 2013/14. Jurgen Klopp could also take his tally from just one up to three.

Finally, Arsenal were made to wait 22 years to end their Premier League trophy drought. However, this would have been a little shorter if they didn't have to overcome Man City in 2022/22 and 2023/24. At least the Gunners finally got their hands on the real thing in 2025/26.

New Premier League Winners

When it comes to the FA Cup, things get quite interesting as a few lesser clubs could have enjoyed some truly magical days out. In 2010/11, Man City won their first honour of the era, beating Stoke City 1-0 in the final.

That victory sent the Cityzens on the path to glory but cost Tony Pulis his only shot at a major trophy in his career. He later reacted to the guilty verdict, reflecting on the cup final defeat:

> "I still feel cheated. Whatever happens next, we won't ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for."

Javi Gracia, then of Watford, may well feel the same. He took on Guardiola's all-conquering side of 2018/19 and felt the full force of City, as his men were thumped 6-0 at Wembley. The Hornets were playing in just their second FA Cup final, having also lost in 1984.

Manchester United could have added an FA Cup to their belated Premier League collection as well. Erik ten Hag's time at Old Trafford wasn't great, but it would have looked better with two FA Cup wins against the club's biggest rivals, instead of just the one.

Chelsea have had their own issues with breaking Premier League rules, but the Blues may well feel entitled to a cup they missed out on in 2025/26. Interim Calum McFarlane oversaw a 1-0 defeat on the day, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the winner.

New FA Cup Winners

Sunderland last won a major trophy in 1973. That was the FA Cup, but they could have lifted their first-ever League Cup in 2014, were it not for City. Gus Poyet was denied that opportunity, losing 3-1 to Manuel Pellegrini's men.

Liverpool only just had Jurgen Klopp in charge during 2015/16, and the German would have to get used to losing to Man City while in England. This was one of many defeats he will now have every right to feel conflicted about.

Both Arsene Wenger and Mikel Arteta turned up to Wembley with Arsenal, only to lose to Guardiola's men. The same fate was also suffered by Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Tottenham as Man City won the competition every year from 2018 to 2021.

Spurs famously sacked serial winner Jose Mourinho on the eve of their final, with interim boss Ryan Mason taking charge of the 1-0 loss.

New League Cup Winners

Sergio Aguero's legendary Premier League title winning goal has been subject to a conspiracy theory, with Wayne Rooney even believing it.

Although there is some questions about just how big a trophy the Community Shield is, Pep Guardiola always counted it amongst his honours. As such, they deserve a mention on this list.

Chelsea were robbed on two occasions, with both Roberto Di Matteo and Maurizio Sarri losing the traditional curtain raiser for the new season. Jurgen Klopp was once again denied a moment of recognition for his achievements at Liverpool, while Erik ten Hag's Man Utd tenure suddenly doesn't look quite so bad when you add a Community Shield and the aforementioned FA Cup to his trophy haul.

New Community Shield Winners

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