Pep Guardiola divorce ‘imminent’ as Manchester City boss purchases new Barcelona home | OneFootball

Tabloid newspaper reports in England have revealed the latest developments concerning Pep Guardiola’s private life away from English football.

While City’s season remains the priority, Guardiola’s ties to Barcelona are of interest to supporters and reporters alike. The Catalan coach has long split time between Manchester and Spain, and reports about a new property in Barcelona have prompted discussion about how that base might shape his lifestyle and perhaps, indirectly, his longevity at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola has repeatedly spoken about his love for both cities, telling ‘Men in Blazers’ that “when you are 10 years in one place, it’s because you feel comfortable”, and having a retreat in Catalonia may form part of how he preserves the energy needed for elite management.

Guardiola’s bond with Barcelona forged his early managerial legend at Camp Nou and still maintains strong personal and professional links in the region, far beyond his childhood connections to the region and being born in the area.

Recent seasons have shown how personal balance feeds into professional performance. After a testing 2024/25 campaign, the manager has overseen a significant reset. New signings, a fresh captain in Bernardo Silva, and visible changes in training have all been presented as steps to a revival, and having a calm, familiar retreat in Barcelona could be another piece of that wider strategy to maintain longevity.

According to the information of The Sun, Guardiola has bought a ‘bachelor pad’ in Barcelona close to the £8.5 million family home he originally bought with Cristina Serra, before news of their split broke in Spain earlier this year.

The report quotes sources who further reveal that the divorce between Guardiola and Serra is now ‘imminent’, while the City manager’s new home has been described locally as a “refuge” where he can “disconnect from football and enjoy moments of peace and introspection.”

A further ‘well-placed source’ is quoted within the report as stating, “It is a spacious home, with spectacular views of the city and high-end finishes that reflect Pep’s refined taste.

“It has good connections with more central areas of Barcelona with its hustle and bustle of shops and bars and restaurants. But at the same time it has the calmness that comes with the upper part of the city so Pep can recharge his batteries after his long work days.”

Viewed through a football lens, the purchase is less an exit plan and more a support mechanism, with top-level sporting stars often needing quiet spaces to reflect, plan and preserve the energy required across long seasons.

Pep Guardiola himself has signalled renewed motivation, speaking of “good vibes” from the squad following the Club World Cup and hinting he could even extend beyond his current 2027 contract, and a Barcelona base may be part of how he sustains that drive.

Ultimately, whether this property becomes a long-term signal about Guardiola’s intentions or simply a practical sanctuary will depend on on-field results and the personal choices he makes in the coming years with his Etihad Stadium contract up in the summer of 2027.