Pep Guardiola's marriage ended because “he is a total workaholic” and it “took its toll” on their relationship, a close friend of the Manchester City manager told MailOnline.
Pep has separated from his wife, fashion designer Cristina Serra, after being together for three decades, it was revealed on Monday night, with no reason given for the split.
But now a close friend of Pep, who did not want to be named, said: “I think they have drifted apart.” He left Manchester about five years ago to return to Barcelona. That has taken its toll.
“He's a total workaholic and not being involved in the family fashion business together may have affected their relationship as well.”
Cristina returned to Barcelona in 2019 with her youngest daughter Valentina, now 17, so she could help run her family's designer clothing boutique.
Despite the 860 miles between Manchester and the Catalan capital, in the eyes of the public their relationship seemed to remain on good terms.
Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra split because he is a “total workaholic” and it “took its toll” on their relationship, a source told MailOnline.
Guardiola arrived at a London hotel ahead of Manchester City's clash against Brentford on Tuesday.
Reports emerged on Monday that Guardiola had separated from his wife of 30 years, Cristina Serra.
Guardiola was seen wearing his wedding ring when the Manchester City players arrived at his London hotel.
The couple was often photographed enjoying dinner together or with their three children.
However, the long haul now appears to have taken its toll coinciding with the worst run in Peps' golden career after a record four consecutive Premier League titles and a historic Champions League victory.
Manchester City fans have expressed concern about their manager after he had a series of outbursts, including a joke about self-harm and several angry fights with fans on and off the pitch.
Rejecting any accusations of infidelity, the source added: “They have split on amicable terms and I really don't think anyone else was involved.”
On Tuesday he was seen for the first time since news of his separation from his wife broke.
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 about his split from Serra.
Observers wonder if his relationship problems could be behind the bizarre outbursts that include a joke about self-harm and several angry fights with fans on and off the court.
Guardiola met Serra when they were 18 in 1994 and the couple married in 2014.
Guardiola, 53, and Serra met in 1994 before marrying in an intimate ceremony in 2014.
Manchester City's form has taken a nosedive and it has now emerged that he and his wife have reportedly split after living in different countries for five years.
Until this season this separation of 860 miles – Pep in Manchester and his Cristina in Barcelona with their three children – coincided with a golden era for City and its coach.
But on Monday night it emerged that Mr and Mrs Guardiola had decided to end their marriage, although friends have said it is “friendly and cordial” and they spent Christmas together with their children Maria, 24, Marius, 22 , and Valentina, 17. .
In recent months, City have endured the worst run of their manager's golden career after a record four consecutive Premier League titles and a historic Champions League victory.
Off the pitch Pep has been involved in a series of fights with football fans who have bothered him by asking for autographs or inciting him after defeats. There have also been issues with players, including the drama of Kyle Walker's love life and speculation over the futures of players such as Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne.
There were also worrying comments about self-harm after he admitted scratching his head and face until he bled during the final moments of City's collapse against Feyenoord in November. He also spoke of the loneliness of football management as City fell to sixth place in the league with six defeats, including four in a row.
Guardiola's assessment may have taken on added importance amid reports in Spain that emerged on Monday that he had separated from his wife Cristina Serra after 30 years. They met when they were 18 years old, in 1994, and married in 2014.
And although his place as one of football's best coaches is indisputable, despite a poor start to the season, the pain of separating from his wife, his childhood sweetheart, will also have caused him more pain.
Guardiola and Serra were still a couple despite not living in the same city (in the photo from 2013)
The couple set up a family home in Barcelona before moving to Germany when Guardiola accepted the Bayern job. In the photo: the couple at the Munich Oktoberfest in 2014.
Guardiola and Serra, a Brazilian journalist and writer, remained a couple despite not living in the same city and have since been photographed together regularly.
Serra was in Istanbul in June 2023 to congratulate her husband after City beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final to seal a famous treble.
They were also photographed together attending Wimbledon at the All England Club in July.
Guardiola had spoken publicly many times about his wife. In January 2024, he said: 'My wife is the best in the world at many things, especially fashion.
'She usually tells me, don't use this or that, so I follow her. I'm smart enough to know when people are much better than me and follow their advice.'
Serra decided to leave Manchester in 2019 to help oversee his family-owned fashion company, Serra Claret, which sells several brands the City manager is often seen wearing. Guardiola also travels regularly to Spain to see his wife and children.
Guardiola and Serra met while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach was modeling for designer Antonio Miró at the store in the Spanish city.
They began a long-distance relationship when Guardiola was a footballer, before buying a house together in Barcelona. The couple later moved to Germany when Guardiola was coach of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Guardiola and Serra photographed with their daughter Maria after City won the treble in Istanbul
Serra is regularly seen on the pitch celebrating with her husband after City won major trophies.
Serra attended the FIFA Best Awards in London with Guardiola in January last year
In May 2023, Guardiola said: “When I have five days (of rest), for example, yes (I can disconnect from football).
'I went to Barcelona (after Real Madrid), for example, to see my wife, my little daughter. That helps me. But every three days there is no chance.
Guardiola looked frustrated while speaking to the media ahead of Manchester City's trip to Brentford on Tuesday.
The Spaniard looked visibly irritated when asked about Kyle Walker, who shocked the club by telling them he wanted to leave, and City's January transfer targets.
Guardiola has clearly been showing the strain as he appeared to scratch his face on the bench during the Champions League clash against Feyenoord. When his team lost a three-nil lead, he was seen on the touchline scratching his head and was later photographed with red marks on his face.
The City manager later joked that the marks were because he “wanted to hurt himself.”
Guardiola enjoyed a successful spell with Barcelona between 2008, turning his team into one of the best in Europe. He later moved to Bayern before taking over at City in 2016, leading the club to the treble in 2023.
The Spaniard, who also had a stellar playing career, led City to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title last season.
Guardiola ended speculation about his future with City in November by signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Etihad until 2027.
The city is enduring a poor campaign by its standards. The champions risk failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and occupy sixth place in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.