- Luca Toni joked Guardiola “ruined football” with the false 9 role.
- The light-hearted conversation took place during a reunion dinner with Roberto Baggio.
- Toni’s quip was ironic as Guardiola now uses traditional strikers like Erling Haaland.
During a friendly dinner in Brescia with Pep Guardiola and Roberto Baggio, former World Cup winner Luca Toni humorously accused Guardiola of “ruining football” with his introduction of the false 9 position.
Guardiola, while associated with popularizing the false 9 system, particularly at Barcelona with Lionel Messi, has since moved toward utilizing traditional strikers, such as Erling Haaland at Manchester City.
Luca Toni Jokes with Pep Guardiola About Tactical Innovations in Football
At a reunion dinner in Brescia on October 15, former teammates Luca Toni and Pep Guardiola shared a humorous exchange about football tactics. Toni jokingly accused Guardiola of “ruining football” with his use of the false 9, which he claimed made life harder for traditional strikers like himself. The dinner, which also included legendary player Roberto Baggio, was a light-hearted affair filled with laughter.
The false 9 tactic became widely known when Guardiola deployed Lionel Messi in that role during his time at Barcelona. However, Toni’s quip was ironic given Guardiola’s current reliance on classic strikers like Erling Haaland at Manchester City. In reality, Guardiola’s tactical flexibility has always allowed him to adapt his approach, even as football’s needs evolve.
Interestingly, the concept of the false 9 predates Guardiola. Italian coach Luciano Spalletti popularized the role when he used Francesco Totti in that position at Roma, to compensate for a lack of a traditional forward. Spalletti’s success with Totti paved the way for managers like Guardiola to adopt the strategy in different leagues, adding to its tactical evolution.
Despite Toni’s playful remarks, both he and Guardiola have enjoyed successful careers, albeit from different tactical perspectives. Guardiola’s willingness to innovate and adapt—be it with a false 9 or a more traditional center-forward—has solidified his legacy as one of football’s most forward-thinking managers. Their jovial exchange reflected mutual respect and fond memories of their playing days together.
Luca Toni’s joke about Guardiola’s tactical influence reflects the ongoing debate in football about how tactics shape the modern game. Ultimately, their conversation highlighted how innovation remains central to the sport’s evolution.
“You ruined football with the false 9. I couldn’t find a team for four years.” — Luca Toni
