Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra have separated after 30 years together, according to reports in Spain.
Manchester City manager Guardiola, aged 53, and Serra tied the knot in a private ceremony near Barcelona in 2014. However, they have now chosen to go their separate ways.
Reports of their separation were initially published by the Spanish news outlet Sport. The pair, who first met in 1994, had been living in different cities for over five years since Serra returned to Barcelona while Guardiola stayed in Manchester.
They have three children together: Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17.
Despite being physically apart, Guardiola and Serra, a Brazilian journalist and author, had kept their relationship alive, frequently appearing together in public over the years.
Sport reports that the decision to end their marriage was made in December, with only members of their inner circle aware of the split. Their trusted friends and family have also been told not to disclose any further information, according to the publication.
Pep Guardiola has reportedly split with his wife Cristina Serra after 30 years together
Guardiola, 53, and Serra first met in 1994 before marrying in an intimate ceremony in 2014
Guardiola and Serra had remained a couple despite not living in the same city (pictured in Munich in 2013)
Serra was in Istanbul in June 2023 to congratulate her husband after City beat Inter Milan in the final of the Champions League to seal a famous Treble.
They were also pictured together attending Wimbledon at the All England Club in July.
Guardiola had often spoken publicly about his wife. In January 2024, he said: ‘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 decided to leave Manchester in 2019 to help oversee the fashion company owned by her family, Serra Claret, which stocks several brands the City manager is often seen wearing. Guardiola also makes regular trips back to Spain to see his wife and their children.
Guardiola and Serra met while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in the shop in the Spanish city.
They began a long-distance relationship when Guardiola was a footballer, before they bought a home together in Barcelona. The couple later moved to Germany when Guardiola was manager of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
According to Sport, their relationship is ‘totally cordial, stable and friendly’ despite the split.
The couple set up a family home together in Barcelona before moving to Germany when Guardiola took the Bayern job
Guardiola and Serra pictured attending Wimbledon at the All England Club in July 2024
Guardiola and Serra pictured with daughter Maria after City won the Treble in Istanbul
Serra has regularly been seen on the pitch celebrating with her husband after City win major trophies
Serra attending a Bundesliga match when Guardiola was manager of Bayern Munich
In May 2023, Guardiola said: ‘When I have five days [off] for example, yes [I can switch off from football].
‘I went to Barcelona [after Real Madrid] for example to see my wife, my little daughter. That helps me. But with every three days, there’s no chance.’
Guardiola enjoyed a successful spell with Barcelona between 2008, turning his side into one of the best in Europe. He later moved to Bayern before taking the City job in 2016, leading the club to he Treble in 2023.
The Spaniard, who also had a stellar playing career, then led City to an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row last season.
Guardiola ended speculation over his future with City in November by signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Etihad until 2027.
City are enduring a poor campaign by their standards. The champions are at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and sit sixth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The news comes after Guardiola launched an X-rated tirade against serial autograph hunters who targeted the Manchester City manager for signatures near his home.
Guardiola has already found himself in the off-pitch spotlight this season after previously cutting his face in the dugout.
The couple pictured at the pro-am at the PGA Championship in Wentworth, Surrey in 2018
Serra attended the FIFA Best Awards in London alongside Guardiola in January of last year
Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure this season, with City enduring a poor campaign
And Guardiola has now dished out a life lesson to would-be autograph hunters as they asked for shirts and other memorabilia to be signed while he walked through a car park near his home.
A fiery Guardiola didn’t waste time in making his feelings heard during the short and heated exchange as he identified two poachers wanting to make money by selling goods bearing his signature and told them to do better with their choices.
Bizarrely, Guardiola told the individuals who appeared to be middle-aged men to ‘go back to school’ as he vented his annoyance at their actions while going about his day in Manchester city centre.
Dressed in a stylish hoodie and tracksuit combination, an animated Guardiola waved his arms as he warned: ‘Don’t come again, I won’t tell you again, I know your faces.
‘Go to school and prepare yourself guys. You are young guys so don’t be here, wasting time,’ Guardiola told the awkwardly-stood trophy hunters clutching replica shirts.
‘Do you want to live your life doing this honestly,’ he added. A despondent individual could be heard quietly replying ‘No, I used to be a chef’ while the six-time Premier League winning manager continued his rant.
Guardiola continued: ‘Let’s continue to do it. Prepare better. F***ing hell man, this isn’t for all the people this is for you.
‘What are your dreams? Tell me, what is it? Where do you dream my friend? Practice, f***ing hell, practice,’ he added while attempting to urge the bystanders to clear out from the area.
The video then ends with Guardiola believed to depart the scene and go about his business as the autograph hunters are left rather red-faced from their surprise dressing down.
