Guardiola decision to sign new Man City contract led to marriage split with wife

PEP Guardiola’s decision to renew his Man City contract lay behind his marriage split with Cristina Serra, according to reports in Spain.

The 53-year-old father-of-three's previous City deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he agreed terms on a two-year extension in November.

Guardiola said at the time he could not leave the club after suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his coaching career.

And now well-respected Spanish showbiz reporters Lorena Vazquez and Laura Fa have linked his Premier League contract extension to the marriage split on their "Mamarazzis Podcast".

They offered a fascinating new insight into what lay behind the break-up days after revealing the couple had called time on their 30-year relationship.

Cristina reportedly surprised those close to the couple when she failed to return to Manchester as expected in September following the summer holidays.

The 52-year-old Brazilian returned to Barcelona in 2019 to focus on her business interests at her family boutique Serra-Claret.

The Mamarazzis Podcast described friends seeing "unusual goings-on" and fearing the couple's three-decades relationship was nearing its end.

Vazquez said: “The Catalan coach's wife reportedly blamed him for putting too much effort into his professional project and felt the need to leave Manchester.

“During the Christmas holidays, the two moved to Barcelona and were even seen enjoying time out together, but Guardiola's decision to renew his contract with Manchester City caused Cristina to say enough was enough.

“According to reports, the family had already made up their minds that their time in England was coming to an end and that their new life was in the United Arab Emirates.

“The confirmation that Pep would stay at the Citizens until 2027 ended up breaking what was already cracked.”

Vazquez and Fa went on to suggest that friends of the couple are still hoping they will enjoy a future reconciliation.

Fa said: “It could be that one day, when Pep leaves football, and if he returns to Barcelona, they could renew their relationship.”

The Spanish reporting duo insisted yesterday after breaking news of the marriage split news that there was no “third person”.

Vazquez added: “It’s been a carefully-considered decision the couple discussed over several months.

“They continue to have a cordial and affectionate relationship. No-one else is involved. There are no third parties. We are going to carry on seeing them together.”

It is not yet clear if the couple have started moves to make their split official with a divorce, which was described locally today as “something that is definitely on the table.”

A close friend was quoted yesterday as claiming the marriage ended because Pep is a “total workaholic.

Guardiola has been showing signs of stress this season and let rip at his own goalkeeper Stefan Ortega before then violently hugging him following his side's 2-2 draw with Brentford last night.

The 53-year-old was absolutely livid on the touchline as the camera caught him kicking a Gtech advertisement near the stands of the Gtech Community Stadium.

The ex-Barcelona boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign that has seen the Citizens drop down to sixth place in the Premier League table.

Still sporting his wedding ring, Guardiola would have loved to see his stuttering team register three points.

Pep’s eldest daughter Maria opened up on her parents’ lessons about love after becoming the first family member to speak since the shock news of their split.

Maria told Vanity Fair Spain: “My parents have always advised me to find what I am passionate about.

“They encourage me to try new things, to accept failure and to keep searching until I find my calling, because when I do, full dedication will come naturally.

“They also remind me that the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.”

The 24-year-old London-based beauty added: “In the end it all comes down to feeling loved.

“Even in situations where we feel out of place, they tell me to listen carefully to others, there is always something valuable to learn from each person we meet.”

Maria is believed to have been interviewed after her parents took the decision to end their three-decades long relationship but before news of the split became public.

The couple have two other children - Marius, 22, who currently resides in Dubai and Valentina, 17, who is focused on studies.

Guardiola will have completed 11 years at City when his latest contract ends.

He is already the longest-serving manager in the Premier League and the second-longest across all four divisions.

He said shortly after penning his contract extension: “Honestly, I think myself, my staff and friends, I think we deserve to be here.

“I am sorry to say. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth.

“I think we deserve after four defeats in a row to bounce back and try to turn the situation.

"In that moment, in the period, I had the feeling you have to take the right decisions for the future and I want to take it.

“Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here – we have experienced so many amazing times together.

“I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”