Reports indicate that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his wife, Cristina, are attempting to reconcile their marriage following a period of separation. This development comes after they reportedly spent the Easter break together in Barcelona.
The couple, who have been together for 30 years, surprised many by announcing their separation in January. Divorce proceedings were reportedly initiated the following month.
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However, following a three-day trip to Barcelona over the Easter break, the couple are now believed to be “giving each other another chance,” according to the Catalan newspaper El Nacional. Sources cited in the report claim that “all is not lost in their marriage”.
Their relationship reportedly began facing challenges in 2019 when Cristina, a fashion entrepreneur, relocated back to Barcelona to focus on her business interests.
Sources suggest that Pep`s decision last November to extend his contract with Manchester City until 2027 may have accelerated their separation.
It is now reported by El Nacional that the Manchester City manager has committed to visiting Barcelona weekly between matches. This decision was reportedly made to prevent them from going long periods without seeing each other.
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The report also noted that the couple, parents to three children, are reportedly still wearing their wedding rings.
Efforts towards reconciliation reportedly began last month with reports of Pep`s discreet return to the family home in Barcelona. The 54-year-old reportedly took a private jet from Manchester shortly after his team`s 3-1 FA Cup victory against Plymouth.
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A source detailed the Easter visit, saying they spent three nights together at the family home in Barcelona. Pep reportedly went out on Monday, Cristina visited her fashion shop, they met there before returning home, and Pep departed for Manchester on Tuesday morning.
Pep and Cristina first met in 1994 but did not marry until 2014, when they had an intimate ceremony on the outskirts of Barcelona.
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For a significant part of their marriage, they had lived separately after Cristina decided to move back to Barcelona with one of their daughters, Valentina. Their other two children, Maria and Marius, stayed in the UK with Pep.
The couple maintained a long-distance relationship until their separation in December of last year. Despite this, they reportedly aimed for an amicable divorce process and even intended to use the same legal team.
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Sources indicated in February that initial terms for a multi-million pound settlement had been agreed upon and were expected to be finalized quickly.
According to respected Spanish journalist Lorena Vazquez, who first reported their split, the couple`s priority was an amicable separation for the sake of their children. She added that they maintained a very good relationship and were even using the same lawyer to handle the proceedings, which were progressing with trusted individuals.
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Manchester City Football Club offered no comment on the matter.
