Revealed: Pep Guardiola’s decision to sign new Man City contract was ‘final straw’ for wife Cristina Serra before shock split - as she ends marriage after relocation promise is broken

According to Spanish showbiz reporters Lorena Vazquez and Laura Fa, via The Mirror, Guardiola's City contract extension in November was the 'final straw' for Serra, as their 30-year relationship ended. Spanish publication Sport added that the couple have been living apart for nearly five years after she moved back to Barcelona to run her fashion company while Guardiola stayed in Manchester. The report adds their family, along with their three children, had planned to start a new life in the United Arab Emirates, but the Catalan coach's decision to stay put until 2027 caused Serra to say 'enough was enough'.

Guardiola's relationship struggles have happened at a time when City are on course to have their worst season in years. The Citizens sit sixth in the Premier League and have underwhelmed in the Champions League. This has certainly been a difficult period for the ex-Barcelona boss and, naturally, his wife Serra.

In December, Guardiola admitted that he has been "sleeping badly" and "doesn't digest his food well" during City's poor run of form.

He said after their draw with Feyenoord: “The nails, yes, I did them on my nose. I am a person who is nervous sometimes. I have bad days, I mess up a lot, and rudeness makes me nervous. Do I lose my mind sometimes? Yes. I sleep badly and I don’t digest food well. I always have to eat light. Only soup in the evening."

It remains to be seen if Guardiola and his wife could repair their relationship in the future. Away from off-the-field matters, Guardiola's City face lowly Ipswich Town on Sunday in the Premier League.