Pep Guardiola confesses love for ex-wife but doubts coaching comeback

Pep Guardiola told Mark Jefferies, Showbiz Editor00:12, that after ten years at Manchester City he finds it “difficult” to take another football job, saying the role left him exhausted and strained his marriage. He confirmed he still loves his ex‑wife Cristina, but they “lost the passion”.

Guardiola’s exhaustion after City

In his first interview since stepping down, Guardiola recalled a decade that delivered 20 trophies but also a relentless schedule that “so‑f**king tired” him. He said the intensity of managing Manchester City drained his personal life and left him “exhausted”. He recalled staying at the training ground from eight in the morning for hours trying to connect with his players.

Personal split with Cristina Serra

The separation with his wife Cristina Serra was finalized at the end of 2024, and Guardiola told his players the couple “lost the passion”. Spanish reports in January 2025 noted Serra, who had been with him since 1994 and married since 2014, wished to stay in Barcelona to focus on her fashion business while the pair, parents of three children, remain on friendly terms. He also mentioned that their three children were present at his final match in May, highlighting the family's involvement.

Future plans and documentary

Looking ahead, the 55‑year‑old admitted he does not know what he will do, adding “it will be difficult to come back” and that he needs to “refresh many things” in his personal and professional life. The comments appear in the four‑part Prime Video documentary “A Beautiful Obsession”, which launches on 19 Aug and features footage of Guardiola in the dressing‑room and his candid reflections. Guardiola said he plans to spend time away from football, even considering simple pleasures like sleeping until ten o’clock.

Mark Jefferies, Showbiz Editor00:12, highlighted ImagesPep of Guardiola kissing his ex‑wife at the 2023 Champions League Final(Image: Getty Images) that circulated after the victory. The archive also contains several Images from Manchester City’s trophy‑laden era, underscoring the personal and professional highs he experienced. The images also show the iconic moment when he used the tactics board before the game, a habit that became synonymous with his Manchester City tenure.

In a December 2024 team talk after a 2‑0 defeat to Juventus, Guardiola confessed “I’m f***ing divorced from the most beautiful woman on your planet” and reiterated his love for Cristina despite the lost passion. He used the moment to urge his squad to play with passion, saying “I don’t want good players, I want players with passion”. He warned that without passion, performance would suffer, describing the situation as a “disgrace” for the squad.

A year later, after a 2‑0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, he made ten changes, came close to tears, and warned that without courage the team would face a new manager. He reflected on the 2023 Champions League Win, noting that “life is not just football” and that he now values sleep and personal time over constant competition. Txiki Bergiristain, former City director of football, later suggested Guardiola needs a break before any new challenge.