JUVE GOT TO GO, PEP
Del Piero and Gullit insist Guardiola is ‘destined’ to move to Italy because ‘he belongs in the Champions League’
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO and Ruud Gullit believe Pep Guardiola is destined to manage Juventus. Italian legend Del Piero has warned Manchester City’s European ban has pushed Pep closer to the Etihad exit. And though the manager told City he will honour the final season of his contract even if the Premier League champions fail to get the ban overturned on appeal, former Chelsea coach Gullit (bottom left) believes he may have a change of heart. Del Piero (left) reckons 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 today’s 20th Laureus Sports Awards here – and Luis Figo agrees Guardiola has a big decision to make after City were handed a two-year ban for breaking FFP regulations.
Del Piero, the World Cup winning striker who won the Champions League and eight Serie A titles for the Turin giants, said: “Pep has won in Spain, Germany and England and if we follow that path I think maybe it’s his destiny to go to Juve.
“Pep has won everywhere he has been – apart from in Italy.
“There were a lot of rumours in the summer Pep was coming to Juve and that talk is still happening. I would love to see him in Italy but I don’t think Noel Gallagher will be happy with my words!’’
Gullit said: “I know Pep and think he will be minded to go to Juventus. He wants to play Champions League – that’s where he belongs.”
Figo, the playmaker who played alongside Guardiola at Barcelona, said: “The rules have existed for a few years and everybody knows about them.”
■ The 20th anniversary Laureus Awards take place tonight in Berlin, honouring the greatest sporting triumphs of 2019, and celebrating the power of sport in transforming the lives of millions of young people.