Why Pep Guardiola’s marriage ended – Close friend reveals
Pep Guardiola’s marriage ended because ‘he is a total workaholic’ and it ‘took a toll’ on his relationship, a close friend of the Manchester City boss has told MailOnline.
Guardiola has split from his fashion designer wife Cristina Serra after being together for three decades, it was revealed on Monday night – with no reason for the separation being given.
But now one friend close to Pep, who did not want to be named, said: “I think they have grown apart. She left Manchester about five years ago to return to Barcelona. That has taken its toll.
“He is a total workaholic and not being involved in their family fashion business together may have affected their relationship too.”
Cristina moved back to Barcelona in 2019 with their youngest daughter Valentina, now 17, so she could help run her family’s designer clothes boutique.
Despite the 860 miles between Manchester and the Catalan capital, their relationship appeared to the public eye to remain on good terms.
The pair were often pictured together enjoying a dinner out together or with their three children.
Yet the long-distance now appears to have taken its toll coinciding with the worst run in Peps’ golden career after a record four straight Premier League titles and a historic Champions League win.
Man City fans expressed concern about their manager after he had a number of outbursts including a joke about self harming and several furious rows with fans on and off the pitch.
Batting off any allegations of infidelity the source added: ‘They have parted on friendly terms and I really don’t think there is someone else involved.’
Earlier on Tuesday he was seen for the first time since news broke of his separation from his wife.
The reigning Premier League champions arrived in London ahead of their clash against Brentford on Tuesday night.
Guardiola was seen wearing his wedding ring amid reports from Spain of his split from Serra.
Got what it Takes?
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FURIOUS Pep Guardiola let rip at his own player before then violently hugging him following his side’s 2-2 draw with Brentford.
His Man City side threw away a two-goal lead with the immensely animated Spanish coach also kicking an advertising hoarding.
Pep Guardiola and Stefan Ortega in an intense confrontation.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had an intense confrontation with Stefan Ortega
Pep Guardiola consoling Stefan Ortega.
He then roughly hugged his player
Pep Guardiola kicking an advertising board.
City manager Guardiola was so livid he kicked a barricade at the stands
The match came hours after reports emerged that he had split with his wife and teenage sweetheart Cristina Serra.
Still sporting his wedding ring, Guardiola would have loved to see his stuttering team register three points.
But City wasted a two-goal lead at Brentford as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard cancelled out Phil Foden’s brace late into the second half.
Foden thought he won it for the reigning Premier League champions by the 78th minute and temporarily sent his team back up to the top four.
However, Wissa put the Bees back in the game just four minutes after the England international completed his double.
And City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was beaten again in the second minute of stoppage time by a Norgaard header.
Guardiola, 53, was absolutely livid on the touchline as the camera caught him kicking a Gtech advertisement near the stands of the Gtech Community Stadium.
And after the final whistle, the Catalan giant entered the pitch and confronted Ortega, 32.
Pep Guardiola embracing Stefan Ortega.
Guardiola had some strong words for Ortega at full time
Pep Guardiola and Stefan Ortega Moreno #18.
He physically embraced his player as well as shouting in his face
The ex-Barcelona boss had a very intense conversation with the German shot stopper, shouting just inches from his own player’s face.
Guardiola was seen verbally lashing out at the City keeper in what appeared to be some tough love as he also roughly hugged him at the same time.
Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in Spain
The ex-Bayern Munich boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign that has seen the Citizens dropping down to sixth place in the Premier League table.
At one point the Manchester giants went on to lose nine out of 13 matches – of which they won only one – across all competitions.
Things got even worse for Guardiola when it was reported that he split from his wife of 30 years.
The City boss and wife Cristina have three children together and decided to end their relationship in December while both in Spain.
Pep Guardiola and his wife at the BMW PGA Championship.
Guardiola’s troubles continued after he split from his wife of 30 years
Pep Guardiola revealed what he told Stefan Ortega in a bizarre outburst on the pitch after Brentford collapse.
Guardiola revealed outburst on the pitch
Man City gave up on a two-goal lead
Brentford held Man City to a 2-2 draw
WHAT HAPPENED?
Brentford FC v Manchester City FC – Premier League
Manchester City were just minutes away from registering their third consecutive win in the Premier League for the first time since October when Brentford scored two late goals to snatch away a point from the champions. Phil Foden scored a brace in the second half, but Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard’s late goals denied City all three points.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Brentford FC v Manchester City FC – Premier League
After the full-time whistle, manager Guardiola appeared to rage at goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who perhaps could have done a better job keeping out Norgaard’s late header. The Spanish coach cut a frustrated figure but kept embracing his keeper in eye-opening scenes. He was also seen having a serious conversation with Josko Gvardiol and Savinho. The City boss, however, clarified that he did not admonish the players.
WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID
Speaking to reporters, the 53-year-old said: “I was satisfied, we’re talking one action. The same with Ortega, I said how good he played in the actions with the ball, had good passes to Erling, how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players with what they have done.”
When asked about Phil Foden’s comments on City players being ‘leggy’ in the closing stages, Guardiola added: “Yeah, that’s why I replaced him.”
WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?
Manchester City v Salford City – Emirates FA Cup Third Round
The Cityzens will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Ipswich Town in a Premier League clash at Portman Road Stadium.
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