- Guardiola became synonymous with his work with Lionel Messi while at Barcelona
- The current Manchester City coach is considered one of the best coaches in the world.
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Pep Guardiola has ruined football, according to an Italian legend.
Guardiola, widely considered the best manager in world football, has won several accolades throughout his career, including three Champions League titles.
He has also won six Premier League trophies, three Bundesliga titles and three LaLiga titles, as well as receiving several individual accolades as a manager during his time at City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Spaniard has also often been credited for his revolutionary tactical ideas, often being hailed as the person who made the false nine fashionable and introduced full-backs into midfield.
But now, however, he has come under fire from one of Italy’s most famous players, who suggested Guardiola is responsible for his difficulties finding a club later in his career.
An Italian legend has claimed that Pep Guardiola has ‘ruined football’ with his ideas in sport
The Spaniard was criticized for his use of the false nine role with Lionel Messi (left)
Guardiola, currently at Manchester City, is considered one of the best coaches in world football.
Guardiola recently reunited with Luca Toni and Roberto Baggio at Lombardi, and the three former players are linked by the fact that 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 went four years without finding a team. Seriously.
‘Can you say you only used the false nine with (Lionel) Messi? Do you even like centre-forwards?
Guardiola, who could be seen laughing in the background, highlighted the success of Erling Haaland, City’s current number 9 and who has scored 101 goals in 108 games for the club.
“I have it,” he replied. ‘Haaland, 60 goals.
‘With that striker we won the treble, but the central forwards must be good. Understand?’
Toni replied: ‘Okay, but enough with the false nine.’ “Big central forwards are better.”
He pointed to Erling Haaland’s success when asked 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 teams including Bayern Munich, Juventus and Fiorentina during his career, but struggled to adapt in recent years before joining Verona in 2013.
Guardiola was known for his use of Messi in the false nine role during his time as Barcelona manager, a position he left in 2012.