Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has recommended that it may be pep Guardiola’s “destiny” to end up in charge of the Serie A champions.

Speculation concerning a switch to Turin for the Catalan coach has been stepped up once more.

UEFA have stung city with a two-year ban from Champions League competition for breaching financial fair Play rules.

Serious questions are currently being asked of what the future holds for key men on and off the field at the Etihad sports stadium.

Guardiola is among those to have seen a move mooted, with the Blues boss nevertheless to commit to an extension to his contract in England beyond 2021.

He might even go forth from that deal within the summer, with Maurizio Sarri’s failure to convince at Juve potentially opening the door for a high-profile post to be filled in Italy.

Del Piero told reporters at the Laureus Sports Awards of the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola: “In Italy there are already rumours saying that the coach and lots of players will leave the club.

“The whole of football thinks they will steal something from Manchester.

“Last summer there was a lot of talk that he was coming to Juventus and that is still happening.”

The World Cup winner added: “Every club within the world would love him as a coach and that i would like to see pep in Italy.

“He has won in Spain , Germany and England. If we follow that path i feel perhaps it’s his destiny to go to Juve.”

Ruud Gullit, who spent time in Italy and England with AC Milano and Chelsea throughout his playing days, is another who believes that Guardiola will be seeking a change of scenery at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

The iconic Netherlander said: “I feel for Manchester city , for the fans, the players, the coaches, everything. it’s ugly.

“But i know pep and know he’s anxious to win the Champions League again. i feel he will be minded to go to Juventus because we all understand they’re desperate for him to go there.

“Whether it’s the right thing is another question however he needs to play within the Champions League — and that’s where pep belongs.”

City are about to appeal their suspension from elite European competition, with the club confident that they have “irrefutable evidence” in a bid to get sanctions turned.