Pep Guardiola and his wife have separated after 30 years together in a “totally cordial” split, according to reports in Spain.
The Manchester City manager, 53, is said to have drifted apart from Cristina Serra after living in different countries for at least five years.
Claims that the couple, who married near Barcelona in 2014, have now split were first reported by Spanish outlet Sport. Manchester City declined to comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport.
The couple met in 1994 and have three children together, Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17. According to various reports in Spain, Serra has been living in Barcelona full time while Guardiola has remained in Manchester.
Serra, a Brazilian journalist and writer, has been pictured with Guardiola various times in the last year. Sport reports that the decision to end their marriage was made in December, with only members of their inner circle initially aware of the split. Friends and family have also been told not to disclose any further information, it is claimed. Sport reports their relationship remains “totally cordial, stable and friendly”.
Serra has been at Guardiola’s side for many of his biggest moments as one of the most successful managers in football history. She was in Istanbul in June 2023 to celebrate after City beat Inter Milan in the Champions League to secure the Treble. The pair also attended Wimbledon in July.
Guardiola said in January last year of his wife: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, especially fashion. She says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow. I’m smart enough to know when people are much better than me, follow their advice.”
Serra is said to have left Manchester in 2019 to help oversee the fashion company owned by her family, Serra Claret. The reports come after City suffered various on-field struggles this season with their worst run of results under Guardiola. On Monday, video emerged of Guardiola launching a tirade against serial autograph hunters who targeted him for signatures near his home.
In November, Guardiola signed a new two-year contract to remain manager of City until 2027, despite a belief he would leave the club at the end of his previous deal.
telegraph.co.uk