According to The Sun, a new documentary film reveals that Guardiola once told Manchester City players in an angry dressing room speech that his divorce had stripped away his "passion" and demanded they show the same fighting spirit.

After a Champions League defeat, Guardiola told the players: "Guys, I want to tell you something. I'm getting divorced from the most beautiful woman on the planet. She's my wife – my ex-wife. I love her deeply. But we've lost the passion."

He then connected the change in his marriage to football: "For many reasons, we've lost the passion. I still love her deeply, and she loves me, but we've lost the passion. It's the same way we play football. You play because something inside you drives you – but where is the passion? Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. I don't want good players, I want passionate players."

This content appears in the upcoming four-part Amazon documentary "A Beautiful Obsession," which also chronicles Guardiola's heartbreak following his separation from Cristina Serra.

In December 2024, Guardiola and Cristina ended their 10-year marriage. At that time, Manchester City had just lost 0-2 to Juventus away in the Champions League. Weeks earlier, Guardiola's face showed what appeared to be scratch marks from stress during an interview, drawing public attention.

After Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016, Cristina moved to Manchester with their three children. However, cracks in their relationship had already emerged in 2019, when the designer returned to Barcelona while Guardiola remained alone in a city-center apartment in Manchester.

It is understood that Cristina was also unhappy with Guardiola's decision to stay at Manchester City. In November 2024, Guardiola extended his contract with Manchester City for two years, further shelving any plans to leave England. News of their separation was eventually revealed by Spanish media in January 2025.

In the documentary, Guardiola revisits his family life following Manchester City's 0-2 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. He tells the players: "I put aside my life, my divorce, my family – everything for you. But what do you give back? That fucking performance just now – all of you. It's shameful, guys, you know what comes next. You'll get another manager."

A source said these scenes truly demonstrate Guardiola's deep affection for Cristina. It is understood that the 55-year-old Guardiola still hopes to reconcile with 53-year-old Cristina in the future.

Spanish journalist Lorena Vaz also hinted that a fresh start for their relationship is not entirely impossible: "They still have a chance to get back together. Maybe one day, when Pep retires and returns to Barcelona, they can restart their relationship."

Guardiola's close friend, Manchester City's Director of Football, Manel Estiarte, also spoke about the manager's personal life in the documentary. He emphasized the importance of players understanding that Guardiola is not just a coach, but also a human being.

"I told the team, 'Please understand. You're not facing a coach who is a bit impulsive, a bit intense, and emotional from time to time. You're seeing a man. He's going through a divorce. I don't want to say too much about this because it's private. But it's important for the team to see Pep not just as a coach, but for the first time to see Pep as a person.'"

The camera then turns to Guardiola being interviewed in his office. He speaks candidly: "A lot has changed in my life recently, you know? So I'm getting divorced, and I have to adjust a bit."

When asked, "Are you happy now?" Guardiola replies: "In my work, yes."

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