Matthaus says the former Bayern Munich employee ‘stole the Champions League trophy’ from Manchester City due to his tinkering.
Following their triumphs in the Carabao Cup and Premier League, the Citizens had the chance to become the second English team to win the treble when they booked their place to the Champions League final.
Having been tipped as the favourites to beat Chelsea due to their recent form, Guardiola shocked the world by naming six attacking midfielders in his starting lineup against Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Chelsea beat their Premier League rivals to lift the trophy thanks to Kai Havertz’s first half goal, and many pundits have slammed the Spanish manager’s tactics.
Matthaus has joined in to criticise Guardiola and believes his future at the Etihad might be on the line.
“With his line-up, he stole the Champions League from the club and the fans and he has to rightly listen to the harsh criticism from all sides,” he wrote in his latest Sky Germany column.
“I am sure that there will be internal discussions about whether to part with him. The players will doubt him since that final.
“He had to try something again, present an imaginary ingenuity at the worst possible moment and totally deserved to lose.
“How can you play without a defensive midfielder in the most important game in club history, who was on the pitch in almost every game of the season, who ensures the balance, who gives everyone involved the necessary security?
“Why did he leave Rodri and/or Fernandinho out, start six attacking players and also play without a center-forward?”
