Guardiola's emotional side revealed in new documentary: divorce, tears, and player clashes
Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A new documentary series, "A Beautiful Obsession," reveals a rarely seen, emotional side of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
- The series covers Guardiola's final two seasons at the club, including his personal struggles with divorce and clashes with players.
- It highlights moments where Guardiola questioned his future at City and confided in players about his marital separation.
Pep Guardiola, the celebrated manager of Manchester City, is shown in a new light in the four-part documentary series "A Beautiful Obsession," set to premiere on Prime Video on August 19. The series delves into his final two seasons at the club, offering an intimate look inside the locker room and his private life during what is described as one of the most turbulent periods of his career.
Guys, I have something to tell you. I have separated from the most beautiful woman on this planet, my wife, my ex-wife. I love her immensely, but we have lost passion. Do I love her? Absolutely. Does she love me? Yes. But we have lost passion.
Guardiola, who departed City after a decade, was reportedly close to leaving much earlier. During a significant performance slump, he frequently contemplated ending his tenure. Simultaneously, he was navigating the breakdown of his long-standing marriage to Cristina Serra. The documentary captures him revealing his divorce to his players before the news became public.
How do you play football? Just because you play it, or because you have something inside you? Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. I don't want good players, I want players with passion.
"Guys, I have something to tell you. I have separated from the most beautiful woman on this planet, my wife, my ex-wife. I love her immensely, but we have lost passion. Do I love her? Absolutely. Does she love me? Yes. But we have lost passion," Guardiola shared with his team. He used his personal experience to impart a message about passion in football, stating, "How do you play football? Just because you play it, or because you have something inside you? Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. I don't want good players, I want players with passion."
You mention my name in every meeting. In every damn thing. My name is up there in every meeting.
The series also captures a tense exchange between Guardiola and then-captain Kyle Walker after a 0-2 loss to Liverpool in December 2024. Following Guardiola's repeated criticism of Walker's errors, the player confronted him. "You mention my name in every meeting. In every damn thing. My name is up there in every meeting," Walker retorted. Guardiola responded, "Maybe because you are the captain." Walker shot back, "You didn't even want me to be captain," before expressing frustration over his name being consistently brought up. Overwhelmed, Guardiola, with tears in his eyes, asked the players if he was the problem, stating he wouldn't stay for the money if he felt he had to "escape" from them. Walker subsequently requested a transfer in January 2025, eventually moving to Milan on loan and then permanently to Burnley.
Maybe because you are the captain.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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