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Why Guardiola’s Marriage Collapsed – Report

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Pep Guardiola’s marriage fell apart because he’s a workaholic and went ahead to extend his contract with Manchester City.

According to Daily Mail, his devotion to work ‘took a toll’ on his relationship, a close friend of the Manchester City boss revealed.

Vanguard reports that Pep split from his fashion designer wife Cristina Serra after being together for three decades – with no official reason for the separation given.

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But a friend close to Pep, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I think they have grown apart. She left Manchester about five years ago to return to Barcelona. That has taken its toll.

READ ALSO: Guardiola Breaks Silence On Leaving Man City To Take England Job

‘He is a total workaholic and not being involved in their family fashion business together may have affected their relationship too.’

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Guardiola, 53, extended his contract with the Cityzens and is expected to stay at the club until 2027.

Cristina moved back to Barcelona in 2019 with their youngest daughter Valentina, now 17, so she could help run her family’s designer clothes boutique.

Man City endured one of the toughest periods under Guardiola, winning just once in thirteen matches across all competitions before the 2-0 victory over Leicester City late December 2024.

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READ ALSO: EPL: Guardiola Reacts As Man City Are Punished For 22 Breaches

He had admitted scratching his own head and face until it bled during the final moments of City’s collapse against Feyenoord in November due to bad results. He also spoke of the loneliness of football management.

Guardiola and Serra met while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in the shop in the Spanish city.

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They began a long-distance relationship when Guardiola was a footballer, before they bought a home together in Barcelona. The couple later moved to Germany when Guardiola was manager of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

With Guardiola’s on and off-field troubles, City are at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and sit sixth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

 

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Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream Ends In Penalty Shoot-out Loss To DR Congo

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Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup after they lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

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READ ALSO:Nigeria Vs Lesotho: What Super Eagles Must Do To Qualify For 2026 World Cup

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

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They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.

 

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NPFL26: Bendel Insurance Beat Kano Pillars 3-2

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Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistent and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.

‎The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable  3-2 comeback
‎victory over the sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
‎ Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago.
‎.
‎Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

READ ALSO:Bendel Insurance Head Coach Suspended

‎Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead in the halftime of the match day 13 encounter under the rain.

‎Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.

‎As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minutes.

‎It was Insurance second victory and first for coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season.

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The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance

‎Speaking during a post match media conference, coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Vendel Insurance Manager after five matches -one loss, one win and three draws so far.

‎He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.

‎”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players,fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
‎I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.

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Arsenal’s Gabriel Injured In Senegal Friendly

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Arsenal’s defensive rock, Gabriel Magalhães, limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

This injury is going to be a major headache for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who still has many players out injured.

The 27-year-old Brazilian center-back was forced to depart in the 64th minute, clutching his right thigh and groin area following a seemingly innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Flamengo’s Wesley.

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READ ALSO:Arsene Wenger Recruits John Terry, Michael Owen, Drogba As FIFA Fights To Host World Cup Every Two Years

This comes at the worst possible time for the Premier League leaders, who face Tottenham in the North London Derby on November 23, barely a week away, followed by Champions League and league tests against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti later confirmed it was a muscular issue but offered no timeline, stating: “We’ll have to wait and see on the extent—it’s too early to say.”

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