Manchester City are reportedly growing increasingly concerned over the looming divorce of their long-serving manager Pep Guardiola from his estranged wife, Cristina Serra. The anticipated split, which is expected to be finalised soon, has sparked internal fears about how the personal turmoil could affect Guardiola’s focus and performance ahead of the new season.
Guardiola and Serra have been together for three decades and got married in 2014. However, signs of strain in the relationship became public earlier this year, with reports of their separation coinciding with a difficult spell on the pitch for the Manchester City boss. The manager has maintained a professional front, but insiders suggest the emotional weight of the situation could become a distraction.
The relationship reportedly shifted from friendly to merely cordial in recent months, as negotiations around the divorce progressed. A formal announcement is expected soon, as both parties push to finalise the split with a sense of urgency. Though no animosity has been reported, sources close to the family suggest reconciliation is highly unlikely.
Guardiola, now 54, had already hinted at stepping away from football after his Manchester City tenure ends in 2027, stating a desire to “focus on myself.” Many believe the current state of his personal life may be accelerating that mindset. The looming divorce could have deeper implications not just for Guardiola’s long-term career decisions but also for City’s short-term ambitions.
Serra, who has long preferred to stay out of the spotlight, reportedly found it hard to adjust to life in Manchester and moved back to Spain several years ago. The couple’s decision to formally part ways allegedly followed soon after Guardiola renewed his contract at the end of last year a move said to have been the final tipping point in the relationship.
Despite the emotional strain, the couple appears determined to keep proceedings civil. Both are said to be using the same lawyer to avoid a contentious legal battle. They were recently spotted attending an event with their two adult children, Maria and Marius, though no public photos of the pair together emerged.
As the new football season approaches, Guardiola’s professionalism will be under scrutiny. The club and fans alike will hope that his off-field issues won’t disrupt the winning mentality he has instilled at Manchester City.
