A close friend of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed the Spaniard’s demanding work schedule played a major role in the breakdown of his marriage to Cristina Serra.
Reports of the couple’s separation emerged earlier this week, ending a relationship that had lasted more than 30 years.
The unnamed friend suggested Guardiola’s total commitment to football and the couple’s decision to live in different countries over recent years gradually affected their relationship.
Cristina returned to Barcelona in 2019 with their youngest daughter to help manage her family’s fashion business, while Guardiola remained in Manchester.
According to Softfootball, the couple had continued to maintain a cordial relationship despite living apart and were occasionally seen together with their children. The friend told MailOnline:
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.
Neither Guardiola nor Serra has publicly commented on the reports, while the Manchester City manager remains focused on guiding his team through the remainder of the season.
