Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager and one of football’s most successful coaches, has separated from his wife, Cristina Serra, after three decades together, according to Spanish reports.
The couple, who met in 1994 and married in 2014 in a private ceremony near Barcelona, have decided to part ways. The Spanish outlet Sport revealed that their separation was finalized in December 2023, though only close friends and family were aware until now.
Living Apart for Years
For over five years, Guardiola and Serra have been living in separate cities. While Guardiola remained in Manchester to lead Manchester City to numerous victories, Serra returned to Barcelona in 2019 with their youngest daughter, Valentina, now 17, to focus on her family’s fashion business, Serra Claret. The couple’s two older children, Maria, 24, and Marius, 22, have also played roles in keeping the family ties strong despite the geographical distance.
Despite living apart, Guardiola and Serra were frequently seen together at public events. In June 2023, Serra joined Guardiola in Istanbul to celebrate Manchester City’s historic Champions League victory, which completed their Treble. A month later, the couple attended Wimbledon together, appearing happy and united.
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A Love That Spanned Continents
Guardiola and Serra’s love story began in 1994 when they met at a shop in Barcelona owned by designer Antonio Miro, where Guardiola was modeling. They began dating and later built a life together in Barcelona before moving to Germany during Guardiola’s tenure as manager of Bayern Munich.
Guardiola has often expressed admiration for Serra publicly. In January 2024, he described her as “the best in the world at many things, especially fashion.”
He joked, “She says to me, ‘Don’t wear this or wear that,’ and I follow. I’m smart enough to know when people are much better than me, so I take their advice.”
An Amicable Separation
According to Sport, the decision to separate was mutual and amicable.
The publication reported that their relationship remains “cordial, stable, and friendly,” with the couple maintaining respect for each other.
Their trusted friends and family have been asked to keep the matter private.
While the separation marks the end of their marriage, both Guardiola and Serra appear committed to preserving their bond as co-parents and lifelong friends.