Del Piero, the World-Cup winning striker, has warned that Manchester City's European ban has pushed Guardiola closer to the Etihad exit
Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero believes it's Pep Guardiola's destiny to manage Juventus .
Del Piero, the World-Cup winning striker who won the Champions League and eight Serie A titles for the Turin giants, has warned that Manchester City's European ban has pushed Guardiola closer to the Etihad exit.
He reckons that after winning titles in Spain, Germany and England, the Catalan's next destination is Italy – even if that upsets his big mate Noel Gallagher.
Del Piero was speaking ahead of Monday's 20th Laureus Sports Awards – and fellow stars Ruud Gullit, Luis Figo and Carles Puyol agree that Guardiola has a big decision to make after City were handed a two-year ban for breaking FFP regulations.
Del Piero said: “Pep has won in Spain, Germany and England – and if we follow that path then I think that maybe it's his destiny to go to Juve.
“Pep has won everywhere he has been – apart from in Italy. Even when he played with Brescia he didn't win a lot
“In Italy we are following what is happening at City because there are already rumours saying that the coach and many players will leave the club.
“When that kind of quality comes onto the market then the whole of football is thinking that they can steal something. There were a lot of rumours in the summer that Pep was coming to Juve – and that talk is still happening.
“If you ask me about my feelings – I would love to see Pep in Italy.
“But I don't think Noel Gallagher will be happy with my words! Noel is a great guy and his club has one of the best coaches in the history of football, so of course he wants him to stay at City.”
Guardiola has told City that he will honour the final season of his contract – even if the Premier League champions fail to get the ban overturned on appeal.
But former Chelsea coach Gullit believes he may have a change of heart
Gullit said: “I know Pep – and I think he will be minded to go to Juventus. Whether it’s the right thing is another question. I can’t speak for him, but he wants to play Champions League and that’s where Pep belongs.
“I feel for the City fans, I feel for the players, and I also saw that they might even strip them of the 2014 title. But if you’ve done it, the rules are the rules and that has to count for everybody.”
Puyol, the ruthless Spanish defender who was a two-time Champions League winner when Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona , reckons his old boss will conquer Europe again – but will have to leave Manchester first.
Del Piero is the World-Cup winning striker who won the Champions League and eight Serie A titles for Juventus
He said: “I am convinced Pep will win the Champions League again - but not with City. FFP rules are there for everyone and my understanding is that this investigation has gone back four years.
“I cannot say if it is correct or not, but I know that every club has to meet the rules.”
Figo, the brilliant Portuguese playmaker who played alongside Guardiola at the Nou Camp agrees.
He said: “The rules have existed for a few years and everybody knows about them.
“If the rules exist, they have to be followed. And if they are not, clubs have to be punished by the law. It’s that easy.”