The Manchester City manager and his wife are reportedly struggling with their long-distance relationship - with busy working lives to blame
Pep Guardiola's influencer daughter went a long way to explaining her parents' marriage troubles in one comment. It's been claimed that the Manchester City boss' wife has moved out of their family home.
Spanish media outlets suggest the relationship between Pep and Cristina Serra, who have been together for 30 years, has grown increasingly distant in recent months, as the Catalan approaches his tenth year at the Etihad.
Spanish podcast Mamarazzis claims the duo have maintained separate households since 2019, with the pressures of a long-distance romance starting to create difficulties. Cristina remains in the couple's home city of Barcelona, where she oversees her fashion enterprise Serra Claret, whilst Pep occupies a luxurious £2.7m flat in Salford.
Cristina allegedly became disgruntled after her partner backtracked on pledges to relocate to the UAE – opting instead to pen a lucrative fresh contract at City that keeps him anchored to the north of England until 2027.
Since then, encounters between the pair have become increasingly rare, with Mamarazzis reporting the couple haven't crossed paths recently. Now, Cristina has packed up her belongings and vacated the couple's £8.5m villa in Barcelona.
Mamarazzis presenter Lorena Vazquez claimed the 52-year-old has relocated independently to a flat in the fashionable Eixample neighbourhood of Spain's second-largest city. "It's a modest home, compared to what she could have afforded," she informed Antena 3 programme Y Ahora Sonsoles.
However, concerns about a bitter, acrimonious split seem well off target. Vazquez continued: "They're leaving the door open to reconciliation.
"It could be that one day, when Pep retires from football and returns to Barcelona, they could resume their relationship. It's a friendly, well-considered breakup without drama, fights or third parties involved."
Indeed, recent reports suggest that City are already making preparations for life after their manager departs – with Chelsea's Enzo Maresca reportedly lined up to fill Pep's considerable boots once he steps down.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Pep's daughter Maria offered a glimpse into the private world of one of football's most brilliant tactical minds. Due to her father's extraordinary career both as a player and manager, Maria has resided in Barcelona, Rome, Brescia, Qatar, Mexico, New York, Munich, Manchester and London.
She revealed: "Moving so frequently gave me a great deal of self-confidence, which I don't think I could have gained in any other way at such a young age. I also fondly remember that sport was a big part of my childhood.
"Following my father around the world to watch matches created special memories and brought the family very close together." However, she also revealed some of the difficulties her family has encountered due to their lifestyle.
"Given the hectic pace of my parents' careers, we didn't get to see each other much," she said, with a touch of sadness. "All our moves have revolved around his career, first as a player and then as a coach. Football has shaped much of our family's journey."
dougiefresh
0
Pep I have my sweet young sister awaiting you she will never complain or get tired of you it is time you forget about Cristina and enjoy some lap dancing
pimp
Emchi
0
In this life, you can't have everything at once.
whycumonme
1
UAE 🤣 mumma needed that sweet retirement chedda, not just frustration from the EPL
KylieJones
0
can we not bring this up in mid season we citizens gonna feel it...leave pep personal lifestyle out of football let the man just focus on winning the races he's in...
Fris
0
In do line them do line all do line them do line, in each doing a heap do out line do line do pegs line do line do out a concrete do line all do line there do line rubber length do line out concrete doing do line do line off heap line do line there do line distance do line them do line .
Some people craze for this app 😂... what's the meaning of this
Vudbmopsuy
0
Pep I have my sweet young sister awaiting you she will never complain or get tired of you it is time you forget about Cristina and enjoy some lap dancing
hen2020
1
In do line them do line all do line them do line, in each doing a heap do out line do line do pegs line do line do out a concrete do line all do line there do line rubber length do line out concrete doing do line do line off heap line do line there do line distance do line them do line .
Soslmorsu
0
It was not a coincidence that City did poorly last year which was the same time his split came to fore. I want to believe it’s no coincidence that several issues seems to be coming up now that city is in contention for EPL. City and Pep should just try to manage all these distractions so that it doesn’t derail them. Pep, we wish you the best with your family and hope your wife can come to the realization that football still needs you a little bit more. You’re still young for a coach and you have a club that you two look like a machine made for each other.
thisishayzed
0
She needs real attention before he gets old, he’s giving all his attention to his career — football
you're sick
Conradfvs
2
Football managing is a full time experience with no family time. It shouldn’t affect love since a football manager goes home after a days work until the team plays far away. His wife & daughter shouldn’t complain about his work . They have a dream life. Pep is living the dream life . His family mustn’t complain about anything. He has his dream job.
viwcdeikl
0
Don’t bring family issues against in football that’s how pep confused to miss leading our club into wrong direction
nuhdlnoprz
2
She needs real attention before he gets old, he’s giving all his attention to his career — football
returnofthesaith
2
well, it is difficult to blame either of the parties here. I wish them joy and happiness and hope they find a way to reconcile their differences soon.
Keblmnortu
2
Kompany is preferable