'I couldn't find a team because of you'- WATCH: Luca Toni accusing Pep Guardiola of ruining football for him

Former Italy and Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni jokingly blamed Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola for his difficulty finding a team. The City manager met with former Italian stars Toni and Roberto Baggio at a restaurant in Lombardy. The three ex-players share a connection through Brescia, each playing for the club at various career points.

Toni Jokingly accused Pep for ruining football 

Toni expressed his grievances with the legendary coach, claiming that Guardiola's innovative approach at Barcelona, particularly his utilization of Lionel Messi as a false number nine, significantly impacted his career. According to Toni, this shift made it challenging for traditional strikers like him to secure a position, ultimately hindering his opportunities before retirement.

He lamented how Pep's influence altered the game, asserting that he struggled to find a team for four years due to the diminished role of classic strikers caused by the rise of the false nine position.

"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?" - he asked.

🇮🇹🗣️ Luca Toni telling Pep Guardiola that he ruined football with his implementation of the false-nine system:

"I couldn’t find a team for four years because of you!" 😂

(@IFTVofficial)

pic.twitter.com/018aVafLzk

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 16, 2024

Guardiola was prompt in addressing the criticism, highlighting the inclusion of a traditional striker like Erling Haaland in his lineup.

"I have it, Haaland, 60 goals. We won the treble with that striker, but the centre-forwards must be good! Understand?" - Pep answered.

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

He is optimistic that relying on a recognized number nine like Haaland will lead to greater success, as the reigning English champions aim to secure additional Premier League and Champions League titles this season.

The trio later donned matching jumpers after Toni humorously lightheartedly teased Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola shared an Italian dinner with Luca Toni, Roberto Baggio, and their friends.

Throughout his domestic career, Toni netted over 300 goals and contributed 16 goals in 47 appearances for Italy before retiring in 2016. Notably, the 2006 World Cup winner left Bayern Munich in 2010, three years before Guardiola's arrival as head coach in 2013.