You ruined football!’ – Italy legend blames Pep Guardiola for being ‘unable to find a team for four years’ as Man City boss breaks down laughing during boozy dinner meeting

The City coach met up with ex-Italy stars Toni and Roberto Baggio at a restaurant in Lombardi. The three former players are united by their connection to Brescia, having each played for the club at some point in their careers.

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  However, Toni had a bone to pick with the legendary coach, as he said it was because of Guardiola’s revolutionary style at Barcelona, which saw him use Lionel Messi as a false number nine, that classic striker Toni had a hard time finding work before he retired.

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  A post shared by Luca Toni (@luca_toni.9)

  WHAT TONI SAID

  “Pep, you ruined football. With the false nine, I couldn’t find a team for four years. Seriously,” he joked in a video with the City boss laughing in the background. “Can you say that you only used the false nine with Messi? Do you even like [classic] centre forwards?”

  Guardiola was quick to defend himself, though, pointing out that he now plays with an old-fashioned striker in the form of Erling Haaland. He said: “I have it, Haaland, 60 goals. We won the treble with that striker, but the centre-forwards must be good! Understand?”

  Toni responded: “Okay, but stop it with false nine now. Big centre-forwards are better.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?

  Guardiola will hope that his return to a recognised number nine in Haaland will reap him more silverware, with the reigning English champions chasing more Premier League and Champions League trophies this season.