Paddy Power ambassador and magnificently coiffured Frenchman Emmanuel Petit says that Man City’s ban from Europe could see manager Pep Guardiola take a step back from football.
City were handed a two-year ban by UEFA in January for breaching Financial Fair Play Regulations, though they have appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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However, former Arsenal, Barca and Chelsea midfielder Petit believes the ban could give his former teammate Guardiola a chance to leave the champions and take a break – just like in 2012 when the intense tactician left the Catalan giants.
‘I think that could be an option for him [quitting City in the summer due to the Champions League ban],’ Petit said.
‘It could be an opportunity for him to step back and have some rest. It wasn’t a long time ago that he seemed clearly tired of being manager.’
On leaving Barcelona, Guardiola took a one-year break after four years at the helm of the Blaugrana before heading to Bayern Munich.
He won three league titles with the Bavarian superclub before taking over City in 2016, where he’s added two Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup to his honours.
‘You never know what could happen, but for me the biggest worry is not what could happen if Guardiola leaves the club – there will be another manager coming if he leaves – for me the future of City is not linked with Guardiola forever,’ Petit continued.
‘For me the main worry is what would happen to Manchester City if the ban is still on the table after the appeal. Everything that City has been doing for the past five, six, seven years, in terms of investment.
‘Everything they have been building could be ending soon. It could change everything at the club. Top players want to play in top competitions.’
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