Jose Mourinho jokes Manchester City verdict could take years as he discusses possible sanctions

Jose Mourinho has joked that Manchester City's legal proceedings could drag on for years, suggesting any initial ruling may be followed by a lengthy appeals process.

The former Manchester United manager discussed City's situation in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, questioning how long it might take before a final verdict is reached.

The outcome could also hold personal significance for Mourinho, whose United side finished runners-up to Manchester City in the 2017/18 Premier League season.

Mourinho believes the proceedings will eventually reach a conclusion, although he is far less certain about when that might happen.

“I prefer to laugh a little, because I think there will be an ending. There will be an ending. But the two of us, who are around 60 years old, should be lucky enough to still be here when the final verdict is delivered,” he told Corriere dello Sport.

The Portuguese manager then suggested that an appeal could extend the process even further.

“Because now the ruling will arrive and, after a year, there will be an appeal.”

His remarks underline the uncertainty surrounding the timeline rather than indicating any knowledge of the eventual decision.

Mourinho guided Manchester United to second place in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, finishing behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Should sanctions eventually affect City's historical results, questions could arise over whether United's final position that season would change.

However, there is no confirmed decision to strip City of that title, and it remains unclear whether any eventual punishment would involve retrospective changes to league standings.

Mourinho's comments therefore reflect a hypothetical possibility rather than an expected outcome.

Attention remains on the outcome of Manchester City's legal proceedings and whether any initial ruling is challenged. Until a final decision is reached, the potential consequences for City and previous Premier League seasons remain uncertain.