Julius OkorieManchester City coach, Pep Guardiola and his wife of 30 years have parted ways according to latest report in Spain in one of surprise stories of the New Year.
Guardiola, 53, and Serra married in an intimate ceremony on the outskirts of Barcelona in 2014 but have now decided to part ways.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNews of their split was first reported by Spanish outlet Sport. The couple, who met in 1994, had been living apart for more than five years after Serra moved back to Barcelona with one of their three daughters, Valentina, 17, while Guardiola remained in Manchester.
They have two other children together: Maria, 24 and Marius, 22.
Guardiola and Serra, a Brazilian journalist and writer, had remained a couple despite not living in the same city and have regularly been pictured together in the years since.
The decision to end their marriage was reportedly 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 Spanish outlet Sport.
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.
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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.
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 cut a frustrated figure as he spoke to the media ahead of Man City’s trip to Brentford on Tuesday.
The Spaniard appeared visibly irritated as he was asked about Kyle Walker – who stunned the club by telling them he wants to leave – and City’s January transfer targets.
Guardiola has clearly been showing the strain as he appeared to scratch his own face in the dugout during the Champions League clash with Feyenoord.
As his team surrendered a three-nil lead, he was seen on the touchline clawing at his head and was later pictured with red marks on his face. The City boss later joked it the marks were because he ‘wanted to hurt himself’.
The question among some pep fans is, if the couple has cordial and stable relationship as claimed is the split necessary?
Some have blamed whatever led to the split for recent poor results as it may have affected Pep considered one of the best coaches on the planet.
A fan of the couple BetwayQueen @BetwayQueen2 however chose to back them up with prayer while giving Pep an advice saying “Take care of your mental health Pep. Our prayers are with you both. Whatever the issue was that could not be resolved after a 30 year partnership must be a huge one. No pointing fingers we wish you both the best. Cityzens stand with you and we pray you get pass this too”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
