Off the PitchDaily Mail FootballUnverified sourceVia Jack Gaughan· 18 Aug 2026
Guardiola Used Divorce Pain to Motivate City Players
In a raw team talk, Pep Guardiola confessed his divorce to spark passion in his struggling squad.
Guardiola
coach
Who
Pep Guardiola
What
Revealed divorce in team talk
When
December 2024
Where
Allianz Arena
What happened. Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City players he was divorced from Cristina Serra during a team talk, using it to urge them to play with passion.
- City lost 2-0 to Juventus before the talk.
- Guardiola's confidante Manel Estiarte warned players about his state.
- City later finished top three and reached FA Cup final.
“I'm f****** divorced from the most beautiful woman in your planet.”
— Pep Guardiola
The moment is featured in the Prime Video documentary 'A Beautiful Obsession' about Guardiola's final years.
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