Rumours of ‘third party’ involved in Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s split from wife closed down by insiders | OneFootball

A suggestion that a ‘third party’ may have played some part in Pep Guardiola’s split from his wife Cristina Serra has now been shut down by insiders in Spain.

Reports emerged earlier this week that after 30 years together, Manchester City’s head coach and his wife had separated with some pointing towards his commitment to work in the North-West of England as part of the reasoning behind the split.

It is understood following earlier reports in Spain that the decision had come in December after some careful consideration, and with the pair remaining in a ‘cordial and affectionate’ relationship, there is a belief the pair will still be seen together in public.

There have been some staggering and unconfirmed rumours in various quarters that the decision to separate may have been due to involvement from a ‘third party’ in the life of the Manchester City coach, however clarity has since been offered on that front.

That is according to insider Lorena Vazquez, who forms part of a highly-respected duo of reporters known in Spain as the Mamarazzis, who said this week on Guardiola’s split from his wife Cristina Serra, “It’s been a carefully-considered decision discussed over several months.

She continued, as translated and relayed by The Mirror, “They continue to have a cordial and affectionate relationship. No-one else is involved. There are no third parties. We are going to carry on seeing them together.

“They weren’t expecting any journalists or media outlets would confirm this break-up but I can assure you they’re living apart and only a small handful of people knew about this.”

Pep Guardiola has been hugely complimentary of his wife in various Manchester City media activities, insisting that Serra is “the best in the world at many things”, and particularly her role in selecting touchline fashion for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.

Guardiola said last January, “My wife is the best in the world at many things, especially fashion. She says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow. I’m smart enough to know when people are much better than me, follow their advice.”

The same subject came up in a press conference in previous seasons too, when Guardiola was asked whether his friend and former colleague, Mikel Arteta was a ‘mini version’ of himself over at Arsenal.

“No. I dress better! I’m sorry, my wife gives me the perfect outfit all the time,” Guardiola told reporters in October 2023.