Man City manager Pep Guardiola and wife Cristina Serra begin rare 'one couple, one lawyer' divorce proceedings in Barcelona.
Guardiola and wife Cristina Serra have avoided a bitter legal battle and remain on such good terms that they will share a legal team, The Sun reports. The Spanish couple had previously agreed to end their 30-year relationship when they announced their split in January.
Sources say they have agreed initial terms of a multi-million-pound settlement, which could be finalized in the coming weeks. Guardiola's rare 'one couple, one lawyer' divorce means neither party will object to a formal end to the marriage.
Spanish journalist Lorena Vazquez, who first reported the celebrity couple's split, revealed: "They want everything to be done amicably, for the sake of their children. Money will not be an issue, and they have agreed initial terms to ensure this separation is as amicable as possible. They have a very good relationship, to the point where the same lawyer is organizing everything. The divorce is being handled by people they trust completely."
Lorena Vazquez told Spanish TV show Y Ahora Sonsoles that the couple split after manager Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension at the Etihad to keep him at City until 2027. Friends claim the 54-year-old is still clinging to hope of an unlikely reconciliation. He is often pictured wearing his wedding ring as a sign that he has not given up, but his wife does not see it that way.
Their marriage is said to have broken down five years ago after Cristina Serra decided to return to Barcelona alone. They have since been living apart while Guardiola remains in Manchester. His wife regularly visits the Manchester City manager before their marriage fell into crisis due to his "workaholic" nature. The couple married in 2014 after 20 years together and have three children together. Guardiola's wife used to be an actress and her family owns a fashion store. Cristina Serra later quit acting to look after their children and focus on her business. She is said to have assets worth more than £30 million.
Since Guardiola renewed his contract, the reigning champions have suffered a decline in form, putting him through the worst period of his coaching career. Man, City are currently fifth, 20 points behind leaders Liverpool after losing 0-2 at home to their opponents on February 24.
