Emmanuel Petit says that Manchester City's two-year ban from European competition could give manager Pep Guardiola 'an opportunity to step back.'
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.
However, former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Petit believes the ban could give Guardiola a chance to leave the champions and take a break, in a similar way that he did after he left Barcelona in 2012.
'I think that could be an option for him [quitting City in the summer due to the Champions League ban],' Petit told The Mirror.
'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.
'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.
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.'