- Guardiola became synonymous for his work with Lionel Messi while at Barcelona
- The current Manchester City boss is regarded as one of world’s best managers
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Pep Guardiola has ruined football, according to an Italy legend.
Guardiola, who is widely-regarded as the best manager in world football, has won a number of accolades throughout his career, including three Champions League titles.
He has also won six Premier League trophies, three Bundesliga titles and LaLiga three times, as well as picking up a number of individual coaching accolades during stints at City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Spaniard has also often been credited for his revolutionary ideas tactically, often being hailed as the person who made the false nine fashionable and introduced full backs playing in midfield.
But, now, however, he has been criticised by one of Italy’s most famous players, who suggested that Guardiola is responsible for his struggles in finding a club later on in his career.
An Italy legend has claimed that Pep Guardiola has ‘ruined football’ with his ideas in the sport
The Spaniard was slammed for his use of the false nine role with Lionel Messi (left)
Guardiola, currently at Manchester City, is widely-regarded as one of the best managers in world football
Guardiola met up with Luca Toni and Roberto Baggio in Lombardi recently, with all three former players linked by the fact they used to play for Brescia.
In a light-hearted video circulating on social media, Toni told Guardiola: ‘Pep, you ruined football. With the false nine, I couldn’t find a team for four years. Seriously.
‘Can you say that you only used the false nine with [Lionel] Messi? Do you even like centre forwards?’
Guardiola, who could be seen laughing in the background, pointed to the success of Erling Haaland, who is City’s current No 9 and has scored 101 goals in 108 games for the club.
‘I have it,’ he replied. ‘Haaland, 60 goals.
‘We won the Treble with that striker, but the centre forwards must be good. Understand?’
Toni replied: ‘OK, but stop it with false nine now. Big centre forwards are better.’
He pointed to Erling Haaland’s success when questioned why he doesn’t ‘like’ centre forwards
It was Luca Toni who questioned the Spaniard and accused him of leaving him without a club for four years
Toni played for the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Fiorentina during his career, but struggled to settle in the latter years before signing for Verona in 2013.
Guardiola was known for his use of Messi in the false nine role during his time as Barcelona boss, a role which he left in 2012.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk