Pep Guardiola and his wife, Cristina Serra, have separated after 30 years together, according to reports from Spain.
Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, and Serra, a Brazilian journalist and writer, were married in a private ceremony near Barcelona in 2014. Despite their split, the couple’s relationship remains “cordial, stable, and friendly,” as reported by Spanish outlet Sport.
The couple, who met in 1994, had been living apart for more than five years, with Serra residing in Barcelona with their youngest daughter, Valentina, now 17, while Guardiola stayed in Manchester. They also have two older children: Maria, 24, and Marius, 22.
Guardiola and Serra had managed to maintain a long-distance relationship, often being seen together at various events. In June 2023, Serra was in Istanbul to congratulate her husband after Manchester City’s victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final, completing a historic treble. They were also photographed together at Wimbledon that same year.
The decision to separate was reportedly made in December 2024, and only close friends and family were aware of it. They have been asked to refrain from disclosing further details to the public.
Serra had moved back to Barcelona in 2019 to manage her family’s fashion company, Serra Claret, which stocks several brands that Guardiola often wears. Guardiola frequently travels back to Spain to visit her and their children.
The couple’s relationship began in the early 1990s when Guardiola was a footballer and Serra was working as a journalist. They later bought a home together in Barcelona and moved to Germany when Guardiola managed Bayern Munich.
Guardiola has often spoken highly of his wife, praising her taste in fashion. In an interview 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.”
While Guardiola’s personal life has attracted attention, his professional life continues to be the subject of focus. He has enjoyed considerable success with Manchester City, including winning the 2023 treble and an unprecedented fourth consecutive English Premier League title in the 2023-2024 season.
In November 2024, Guardiola extended his contract with City, securing his position until 2027. However, the current season has been challenging for the team, with City struggling to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League and sitting in sixth place in the English Premier League, 12 points behind the leaders, Liverpool.
