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      Erling Haaland signs TEN-YEAR Man City contract worth £260million with release clause removed

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      ERLING HAALAND has signed an eye-watering TEN-YEAR contract with Manchester City, according to reports.The striker was contracted to the club until 2027 but his new deal will see him tied down until he is 34 years old.Erling Haaland has penned a ten-year contractCredit: GettyThat will keep him at the club until he is 34-years-oldHaaland announced the news with a video showing off his trademark celebrationHe has been tied down to the club until 2034The lengthy contract is one of the most lucrative in sport history and will run until 2034.Any release clause from his previous deal have been removed, so it would take an astronomical bid to lure him away from the Etihad.Haaland, 24, is set for a bumper increase on his £375,000-a-week salary.Man City have announced his new contract will run for ten years, and it is understood his earnings will be backdated to the beginning of the season which means Haaland will collect £3.25m in wages he is owed since then.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport revealed his new contract would be worth £500,000-a-week, which means his total earnings across the deal will be £260million, or £26m a year.City have been keen to tie down their star man amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.Haaland is believed to be very happy at City and was persuaded to extend his deal after Pep Guardiola renewed terms for further two years in November.He is settled in Manchester and has just become a dad for the first time, and earlier this month bought a six-bed mansion with his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, 21, after the couple decided to “put down some roots”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHaaland will pick up £500k-a-week after helping Man City win five trophies in two yearsCredit: GettyHaaland is settled in Manchester and recently became a dad for the first timeCredit: EPAHaaland also enjoys an excellent relationship with manager Pep Guardiola and chairman Khadoon Al Mubarak, as well as his team-mates.The 24-year-old said after putting pen to paper: “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great Club.Fans ask ‘how can you not love him?’ after Haaland’s blunt eight-word response to reporter’s fantasy football question“Manchester City is a special Club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.“I also want to thank Pep, his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the Club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years. They have made this such a special place to be and now I am City no matter what.“Now I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward.”The Norwegian will become the highest paid player in the Premier League, overtaking team-mate Kevin De Bruyne who earns £400k-per-week.He has won the Golden Boot twice in two seasons since moving to the Prem and scored an incredible 111 goals in 126 games for the Cityzens.Haaland has won five trophies in two-and-a-half years at City and has 16 Prem goals this campaign.Pep Guardiola said of the new deal: “It’s the trust for the club to Erling. Because you never know what can happen in the next year. “But the club knows perfectly how professional he is. His commitment in every single game and every single day to show his talent.”And of course for him, because in 10 years, you never know what’s going to happen. It’s a long, long time. And always in the short careers, you have to say, OK, stay we’ll see what happens. “And he proved what he wanted. And the trust, as I said before, was the trust with the club.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAsked why Haaland wants to stay for so long, Guardiola said: “he settled perfectly. I think what happens is that he loves the club, the people he’s around. He loves the Premier League. “He loves to be here with him and his wife. Now he’s a father, so… I think he visualises there is no better place that I could be right now in the next 10 years, I would say. And that’s why he and his family decided to do this step.”By Martin LiptonIT was a January present even the most fervent Manchester City fan had not really anticipated.And no wonder that the news of Erling Haaland’s astonishing new Etihad deal brought a swathe of swift conclusions about what it means for the Norwegian and the club.For the past few weeks, it has been all about the players City were looking to sign in the January window, with a triple swoop for Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis in the pipeline.Yet getting Haaland to effectively commit the rest of his career to City was more than just a coup – it was a huge morale boost for everybody connected to the club.Rightly so. Haaland’s record of 112 goals in just 126 games for the club is beyond incredible.In the Prem, it is 79 in 87 appearances, at a rate of 0.91 goals per game.To put that into even greater context, Alan Shearer scored his record 260 Prem goals in 441 games for Blackburn and Newcastle.If Haaland continued to score at his current rate, he would break the record after 237 games – before the end of 2029 if he stays fit.And that would not even be HALF-WAY through the ten year, £260m deal.No wonder many City fans are already pointing to Haaland’s signature, following on from Pep Guardiola’s renewal, and drawing an obvious conclusion.They wouldn’t be doing this unless City were absolutely certain the Premier League case into the “115” allegations of financial impropriety (the actual number of charges is now 130) was about to collapse into tiny pieces.It is not a ridiculous assumption to make, either. At least, not from the outside.City have, remember, always vehemently denied they did anything wrong.And unleashed the legal forces of Hell – well, £10,000 an hour Lord Pannick KC and his team – to defend their reputation.But nobody, except the lawyers involved and the panel of three empowered to hear the evidence given on both sides over the best part of three months before Christmas, REALLY knows what was said in the central London International Dispute Resolution Centre.What we do know is that if the Prem legal beaks fail to prove their case “on the balance of probabilities”, City will have won a huge and seismic victory.The authority of the League will have been fractured into tiny pieces.Yet at this stage, the commission appears to still be considering its verdict.And before Christmas, there were mutterings that City might be ready to argue that, in the event of a verdict they did not accept, the club would contest the ENTIRE fabric of the Prem financial rules.But even if the verdict goes AGAINST City, the new deal is a major defensive move for their most potent attacking force.It is hard, if not inconceivable, to imagine Haaland staying at City if they are actually relegated to the Championship – which would be a MINIMUM demand of rival clubs if the bulk of the charges are proven. Let alone if it was a Rangers-style three division relegation.Of course, if it was just one season in the Championship – and there is nothing to suggest that is in consideration until the verdict is known – the easiest way out would be to loan Haaland to another club in the City Football Group for a campaign. Girona, possibly, or an MLS year in the Big Apple.But if Haaland did kick off, City have guaranteed themselves a huge financial buffer.Tying Haaland to such a long deal – one that would not be permissible under Fifa regulations in some countries, where employment law states contracts cannot last longer than five years – is a statement, unquestionably.If another club wants to tempt him away – and Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two most obvious potential suitors, probably followed by PSG or the PIF-owned clubs of the Saudi Pro League – they will have to buy out the contract AND pay a massive fee.That would see a potential £500m transfer demand, a sum few could possibly meet.At the same time, it is also ringfencing City against the possible outcome of the European Court of Justice ruling over former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra.The international players’ union FifPro is among those arguing the end-game will be stars having “free agency” to move clubs, with no transfer fees and only the remaining contract terms needing to be bought out as a compensation move.Of course, none of that will even be an issue if City’s long-held stance is vindicated.And the thought of almost another decade of Haaland marauding up and down the Prem will chill the blood of an entire generation of defenders. 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      Kyle Walker’s AC Milan transfer could see forgotten England ace sold to Juventus

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Kyle Walker continues to be intensely linked with a move to AC Milan during the January transfer window.SunSport understand Walker, 34, is being lined up for a sensational loan move to Milan’s fiercest rivals Inter Milan.Manchester City star Kyle Walker continues to be linked with AC MilanCredit: GettyIf Walker leaves Man City for Milan then Fikayo Tomori could go to JuventusCredit: GettyHowever, Gazzetta report that the Rossoneri are still keeping tabs on City’s wantaway defender.The same source adds, though, that if the full-back joins Sergio Conceicao’s side then another England international could have to make way.And that is none other than Fikayo Tomori, who has been linked with another one of Milan’s biggest foes: Juventus.Juve are keeping tabs on Tomori, 27, after 19 appearances across all competitions this season.Read More on FootballConceicao’s outfit are keen on a permanent deal for Walker, whose Etihad contract runs out in 2026.And Milan are willing to offer a long deal by spreading his €6million (£5m) salary he has guaranteed in the Premier League over more time.Walker has dramatically asked to quit Man City for a move abroad but a transfer to the red side of the San Siro doesn’t appear very likely.That is because Inter are leading the chase for the right-back as representatives for the player have been in contact with the Serie A giants and a deal is being thrashed out.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesWalker’s desire to leave was announced by manager Pep Guardiola after last week’s 8-0 mauling of Salford in the FA Cup.Guardiola revealed he was left out of the third-round clash after informing the club of his wish to leave.Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker has asked to LEAVE Man City with England defender set or £400K-A-WEEK Saudi transferWalker has seen his game time getting limited this season with only 18 appearances across all competitions under his belt. More

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      ‘It will never be the same again’ – Jack Grealish urged to leave Man City and move abroad

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      JACK GREALISH has been urged to leave Manchester City and resurrect his career abroad.The England international has failed to justify the whopping £100million City spent on him in August 2021.Jack Grealish has underperformed for well over a yearCredit: REXEx-Manchester United man Dwight Yorke reckons Grealish should resurrect his career abroadCredit: GETTYGrealish went a whopping 392 DAYS without scoring a goal for his club prior to to City’s 8-0 FA Cup demolition of Salford City last weekend.The 29-year-old’s decline hasn’t shocked former Manchester United hitman Dwight Yorke, who believes the attacking midfielder needs to up sticks to breathe new life into his career.He told CoinCasino.com: “I can fully understand Jack Grealish’s situation from my own experience.”t was the third season when I started to fall away at Man United, I won the treble in my first year.READ MORE ON GREALISH”When you achieve certain things in the game, looking back at it, you can see why Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the best players ever.”Because they were always hungry for more.”Sometimes, players can lose their way when they win everything in the game.”It’s easy to get to a certain level but it’s hard to maintain it. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I remember when I scored 29 goals in my first year, 26 goals in my second year then 14 goals in my third season.”I was declining, and it’s similar to Jack Grealish. His numbers are getting worse, he’s not improving.Emi Martinez’s eight-word blast at Jack Grealish revealed as new footage of pair’s furious tunnel row emerges “It’s a sign of something being not right, sometimes it’s hard to notice when you’re in a successful team winning all the time, like I was and Grealish is in now. “I wish I left in my third season, to have a new challenge.”My advice for Grealish is that leaving Man City and anywhere after will never be the same, he’s had his best years of his career already.”If I was him, I’d probably go abroad, join a club in Italy or Spain. “Anywhere else in the Premier League is going backwards, everything he’s achieved at Man City, he’ll never achieve again.”He won’t enjoy the football because he’s not playing with the same level of players he once did.Jack Grealish bagged his first goal in 392 days last weekendCredit: REX”Grealish could go back to Aston Villa, I had a similar opportunity to go back under Graham Taylor but they bought Peter Crouch instead.”He’s in a similar boat to what I was, if I was Grealish I’d look at an opportunity to play abroad.”City boss Pep Guardiola leapt to Grealish’s defence last weekend but warned the former Villa man that he has start to start delivering the goods.He said of Grealish’s goal: “Of course [it was a big deal]. And he assisted the last one for [James] McAtee.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I know he’s a player that doesn’t do that, but of course hopefully it can help him.”Because, of course, when the players who play up front, they have to deliver.” More

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      Pep Guardiola decision to sign new Man City contract led to marriage split with Cristina Serra, bombshell report claims

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      PEP Guardiola’s decision to renew his Man City contract lay behind his marriage split with Cristina Serra, according to reports in Spain.The 53-year-old father-of-three’s previous City deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he agreed terms on a two-year extension in November.Pep Guardiola’s decision to renew his Manchester City contract lay behind his marriage split with Cristina Serra, according to reportsPep signed a new deal with City in NovemberGuardiola has been enduring a turbulent campaignCredit: ReutersThe couple met as teenagersGuardiola said at the time he could not leave the club after suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his coaching career.And now well-respected Spanish showbiz reporters Lorena Vazquez and Laura Fa have linked his Premier League contract extension to the marriage split on their “Mamarazzis Podcast”.They offered a fascinating new insight into what lay behind the break-up days after revealing the couple had called time on their 30-year relationship.Cristina reportedly surprised those close to the couple when she failed to return to Manchester as expected in September following the summer holidays.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 52-year-old Brazilian returned to Barcelona in 2019 to focus on her business interests at her family boutique Serra-Claret.The Mamarazzis Podcast described friends seeing “unusual goings-on” and fearing the couple’s three-decades relationship was nearing its end.Vazquez said: “The Catalan coach’s wife reportedly blamed him for putting too much effort into his professional project and felt the need to leave Manchester.“During the Christmas holidays, the two moved to Barcelona and were even seen enjoying time out together, but Guardiola’s decision to renew his contract with Manchester City caused Cristina to say enough was enough.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“According to reports, the family had already made up their minds that their time in England was coming to an end and that their new life was in the United Arab Emirates.“The confirmation that Pep would stay at the Citizens until 2027 ended up breaking what was already cracked.”Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker has asked to LEAVE Man City with England defender set or £400K-A-WEEK Saudi transferSpanish showbiz reporters Lorena Vazquez and Laura Fa have linked Guardiola’s Man City contract extension to the marriage split on their ‘Mamarazzis Podcast’Vazquez and Fa went on to suggest that friends of the couple are still hoping they will enjoy a future reconciliation.Fa said: “It could be that one day, when Pep leaves football, and if he returns to Barcelona, they could renew their relationship.”The Spanish reporting duo insisted yesterday after breaking news of the marriage split news that there was no “third person”.Vazquez added: “It’s been a carefully-considered decision the couple discussed over several months.“They continue to have a cordial and affectionate relationship. No-one else is involved. There are no third parties. We are going to carry on seeing them together.”It is not yet clear if the couple have started moves to make their split official with a divorce, which was described locally today as “something that is definitely on the table.”A close friend was quoted yesterday as claiming the marriage ended because Pep is a “total workaholic.Pep has been showing signs of stress, including huge scratches on his head after City collapsed in the Champions League against FeyenoordThe ex-Barcelona boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign this seasonMaria Guardiola has given her first interview in the wake of her parents’ looming splitGuardiola has been showing signs of stress this season and let rip at his own goalkeeper Stefan Ortega before then violently hugging him following his side’s 2-2 draw with Brentford last night.The 53-year-old was absolutely livid on the touchline as the camera caught him kicking a Gtech advertisement near the stands of the Gtech Community Stadium.The ex-Barcelona boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign that has seen the Citizens drop down to sixth place in the Premier League table.Still sporting his wedding ring, Guardiola would have loved to see his stuttering team register three points.Pep’s eldest daughter Maria opened up on her parents’ lessons about love after becoming the first family member to speak since the shock news of their split.Maria told Vanity Fair Spain: “My parents have always advised me to find what I am passionate about. “They encourage me to try new things, to accept failure and to keep searching until I find my calling, because when I do, full dedication will come naturally.“They also remind me that the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.”The 24-year-old London-based beauty added: “In the end it all comes down to feeling loved.“Even in situations where we feel out of place, they tell me to listen carefully to others, there is always something valuable to learn from each person we meet.”Maria is believed to have been interviewed after her parents took the decision to end their three-decades long relationship but before news of the split became public.City chiefs Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano believed Guardiola’s time at City was not overThe Catalan’s new deal will mean he will have spent more than a decade as City managerCristina has been living at the couple’s £8m mansion in Barcelona while Pep stays at his luxury apartment in ManchesterThe couple have two other children – Marius, 22, who currently resides in Dubai and Valentina, 17, who is focused on studies.Guardiola will have completed 11 years at City when his latest contract ends.He is already the longest-serving manager in the Premier League and the second-longest across all four divisions.He said shortly after penning his contract extension: “Honestly, I think myself, my staff and friends, I think we deserve to be here. “I am sorry to say. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth.“I think we deserve after four defeats in a row to bounce back and try to turn the situation.”In that moment, in the period, I had the feeling you have to take the right decisions for the future and I want to take it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here – we have experienced so many amazing times together. “I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”Guardiola is believed to have separated from his wife of 30 yearsGuardiola with Cristina and their three kids in 2018 More

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      Pep Guardiola’s daughter Maria gives emotional interview on ‘feeling loved’ after parents split up after 30 years

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      PEP Guardiola’s eldest daughter has broken her silence following the Manchester City manager’s shock “split” from his wife Cristina Serra.Model and influencer Maria gave an emotional interview about feeling loved and the important lessons from her parents’ relationship.Maria Guardiola has given her first interview in the wake of her parents’ looming splitCredit: Instagram @maria.guardiolaMaria is the eldest of Pep’s three childrenCredit: GettyPep and Cristina have been together for 30 yearsBarcelona-based newspaper Sport reported that Guardiola and wife Cristina decided to end their relationship in December while both in Spain.The report claims they have been living apart for nearly five years after Cristina moved back to Barcelona to run her fashion company while Pep remained at his luxury apartment in Manchester’s Deansgate.The sweethearts, who were together for three decades and married in 2014, are yet to comment on the separation after it was revealed on Monday night.But Pep’s daughter Sophia is the first family member to reveal details about their relationship and her loving family life growing up.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 24-year-old fashionista told Vanity Fair: “My parents have always advised me to find what I am passionate about.“They encourage me to try new things, to accept failure and to keep searching until I find my calling, because when I do, full dedication will come naturally.“They also remind me that the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.“In the end it all comes down to feeling loved. Even in situations where we feel out of place, they tell me to listen carefully to others.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“There is always something valuable to learn from each person we meet.”A close family friend was quoted yesterday claiming their marriage ended because Pep is a “total workaholic”.Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s recen struggles could be a response to the end of his marriage to teenage sweetheart  Cristina SerraEldest Maria is a modelCredit: Instagram @maria.guardiolaMan City boss Pep Guardiola is believed to have separated from his wife of 30 years Cristina SerraCredit: GettyMaria did not comment on her parent’s split and no reason for the divorce has been given.But she referenced her dad’s dedication to his career in her magazine interview by saying: “My father was already playing when I was born.“All our movements have focused on his career, first as a player and then as a coach. Soccer has shaped much of our family’s journey.“In many ways, my family and I owe our lives and opportunities to this sport and, of course, to my father’s exceptional talent and passion.”Admitting to inheriting her dad’s “stubbornness” she added: “When we set our minds to something, we pursue it with tunnel vision until we achieve it.”Guardiola with Cristina and their three kids in 2018The ex-Barcelona boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign this seasonGuardiola had some strong words for Ortega at full time last nightGuardiola let rip at his own goalkeeper Stefan Ortega before then violently hugging him following his side’s 2-2 draw with Brentford last night.The 53-year-old was absolutely livid on the touchline as the camera caught him kicking a Gtech advertisement near the stands of the Gtech Community Stadium.The ex-Barcelona boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign that has seen the Citizens drop down to sixth place in the Premier League table.Still sporting his wedding ring, Guardiola would have loved to see his stuttering team register three points.During better times in Manchester, where he won a record four straight Prem titles and a historic Champions League, Cristina decided to continue on her family’s business back in Spain.She and the couple’s youngest child Valentina moved back to Barcelona in 2019 so that the Brazilian journalist turned fashion designer could help continue her family boutique Serra-Claret.The boutique line, which stocks a number of expensive designer labels, was first opened in 1933.Cristina has been living in a villa in Pedralbes, an exclusive neighbourhood in the hills surrounding Barcelona.The property, which the couple bought in 2021 for £8.55million, lies within an enclave of three villas where neighbouring properties have sold previously for around £20million.Guardiola is believed to have met Cristina in her family’s clothes store called Serra Claret when he was just 18.He was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in Serra’s shop when he first met Cristina.And even as recently as January 2024, the former midfielder revealed Cristina helps pick out his matchday outfits.READ MORE SUN STORIESSerra Claret stock many brands he has worn on the touchline, such as Dsquared2, CP Company and Armani.Sport say their relationship is still “cordial, stable and friendly” despite deciding to part ways.Cristina is expected to continue living in the £8.5m home in Barcelona’s elite suburbsThe Barcelona home comes fitted with an impressive outdoor poolThe views from the Guardiola family home in Barcelona are jaw-droppingMaria attended The Best Fifa Football Awards with her parents in 2023Credit: RexGuardiola and Serra share three children: Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 15Credit: GettyGuardiola has won six Premier League titles with City More

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      Pep Guardiola loses it with his OWN PLAYER and boots stand as difficult week gets worse following news of marriage split

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      FURIOUS Pep Guardiola let rip at his own player before then violently hugging him following his side’s 2-2 draw with Brentford.His Man City side threw away a two-goal lead with the immensely animated Spanish coach also kicking an advertising hoarding.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had an intense confrontation with Stefan OrtegaCredit: RexHe then roughly hugged his playerCredit: ReutersCity manager Guardiola was so livid he kicked a barricade at the standsCredit: RexThe match came hours after reports emerged that he had split with his wife and teenage sweetheart Cristina Serra.Still sporting his wedding ring, Guardiola would have loved to see his stuttering team register three points.But City wasted a two-goal lead at Brentford as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard cancelled out Phil Foden’s brace late into the second half.Foden thought he won it for the reigning Premier League champions by the 78th minute and temporarily sent his team back up to the top four.Read More on FootballHowever, Wissa put the Bees back in the game just four minutes after the England international completed his double.And City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was beaten again in the second minute of stoppage time by a Norgaard header.Guardiola, 53, was absolutely livid on the touchline as the camera caught him kicking a Gtech advertisement near the stands of the Gtech Community Stadium.And after the final whistle, the Catalan giant entered the pitch and confronted Ortega, 32.Most read in FootballGuardiola had some strong words for Ortega at full timeHe physically embraced his player as well as shouting in his faceThe ex-Barcelona boss had a very intense conversation with the German shot stopper, shouting just inches from his own player’s face.Guardiola was seen verbally lashing out at the City keeper in what appeared to be some tough love as he also roughly hugged him at the same time.Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in SpainThe ex-Bayern Munich boss has been enduring a turbulent campaign that has seen the Citizens dropping down to sixth place in the Premier League table.At one point the Manchester giants went on to lose nine out of 13 matches – of which they won only one – across all competitions.Things got even worse for Guardiola when it was reported that he split from his wife of 30 years.The City boss and wife Cristina have three children together and decided to end their relationship in December while both in Spain.Guardiola’s troubles continued after he split from his wife of 30 yearsCredit: Getty More

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      Brentford 2 Man City 2: Champions throw away two-goal lead in more misery for Pep Guardiola after marriage split

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      JUST when it looked as though City were back in the title race, they shot themselves in the foot.And this one might really kill any Etihad momentum stone dead.Manchester CIty manager Pep Guardiola’s week got even worseCredit: RexPhil Foden scored a brace for Man City and thought he won itCredit: AlamyYoane Wissa put Brentford back in the game late in the game against Man CityCredit: PAChristian Norgaard equalised for Brentford to add to Guardiola’s woesCredit: GettyTwo up with just a few minutes to play after a Phil Foden double, and with Kevin De Bruyne at the heart of everything that was good about their performance, City were on the verge of a fourth straight win.The monster, it seemed, was starting to awaken.A fact that would have chilled the blood of all the teams ahead of Pep Guardiola’s men.Yet what happened next did not defy belief.Read More on FootballNot when you consider how poorly City have defended for so much of this season, as was again evidenced at the Gtech Community Stadium.From control and a guaranteed three points, it all went absolutely pear-shaped.First, appalling defending allowed the unmarked Yoane Wissa, found in front of goal, to fire into a gaping net.Then, at the start of stoppage time, Christian Norgaard headed through the hands of Stefan Ortega to level.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesAnd if it had not been for Nathan Ake’s second goal line clearance of the night, this time to foil Bryan Mbeumo, the wheels would really have fallen off the City chariot.Even so, this must have felt like a defeat for Guardiola – as it felt like a win for Brentford.Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in SpainWhat will hurt Guardiola most, of course, is that his side appeared to have done the hard work.With De Bruyne returning to his sparkling, effervescent best and Foden scoring twice at the ground where he claimed a Prem hat-trick last term, normal service looked like being returned.Foden’s first was utterly exquisite, as was the role of De Bruyne.Throughout an enthralling 90 minutes, the Belgian had stood out amid the mayhem with his calm precision.For more than an hour, it added up to nothing as a series of openings were squandered.Missed opportunitiesErling Haaland, Matheus Nunes and Savinho were all guilty.The Norwegian twice aimed straight at Mark Flekken, Nunes took forever and a day and was robbed before he shot, Savinho drilled over before hitting the post in the second half – leaving Guardiola increasingly perplexed in his technical area.Yet that all changed when Savinho picked up the ball in midfield, De Bruyne instinctively drifting right, finding those clever pockets of space as he had done all night.This time, the cross was met by a glorious cushioned finish from the inside of Foden’s left foot.The England man – who waited until December 21 to break his Prem duck for the season – added a second, when Savinho’s cross deflected into his path.Game over? Surely – and the City fans, who sang in honour of one of the club’s local heroes, following the sad death of Tony Book, before the start, had a modern day one to serenade.What followed, though, was not in the script – although hardly out of keeping.Falling apartFor most of the match, Brentford had chiselled out openings but been unable to take them, Wissa and Mbeumo constant threats.Indeed, even after the Foden opener, only a stunning effort by Ake, with Ortega already rounded by Mbeumo, had denied Wissa.Earlier, Ortega had made a fine low save to deny Mbeumo, Wissa was twice narrowly off target, Nathan Collins had headed inches wide.Foden’s second should have put an end to any of that.Yet instead of calm control, City folded in spectacular style, to Guardiola’s sheer disbelief.Josko Gvardiol had earlier made a terrific and vital block to thwart Wissa but he was absent without leave when Mathias Jensen floated to the far post and Mads Roerslev served it up on a plate for Wissa.Brentford comebackAnd in a madcap finale that saw openings at both ends, penalty shouts and sheer chaos, it was the Bees who did the stinging.Norgaard’s header after he had been found by Keane Lewis-Potter really should have been kept out by Ortega. If you get your hands to the ball, it should not go in.And the City keeper was scrambling in no man’s land as Mbeumo’s last-gasp effort header for the far corner, only for Ake’s head to prevent total collapse.The Gtech went loco, rightly so. Thomas Frank congratulating each and every one of his players in the home dressing room.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor City, though, it was a devastating blow, perhaps the final one to their title chances. They cannot afford mistakes. And this was a huge one.The poor result added to Guardiola’s woes shortly after it was reported that he split from his wife of 30 years.Guardiola couldn’t hide his frustrations after Man City’s latest slip More

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      Pep Guardiola still wearing his wedding ring for Man City clash hours after news of shock split from wife Cristina Serra

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      PEP GUARDIOLA wore his wedding ring as he was seen for the first time since reports he has split with his wife Cristina Serra.Spanish newspaper Sport were the first to say the pair have ended their relationship after more than 30 years. Pep Guardiola seen in public for the first time since reports he has split with his wifeCredit: ReutersGuardiola was all smiles while arriving at BrentfordCredit: ReutersHe wore his wedding ring despite reports of a splitCredit: ReutersGuardiola put the personal news behind himCredit: RexBut Guardiola had to put it behind him as for Manchester City’s trip to Brentford. Guardiola was all smiles as he arrived at the Gtech Community Stadium – despite reports of his split. He even wore his wedding ring for the game in West London.However he wasn’t totally happy at full-time after seeing his side throw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford.READ MORE IN football Sport reported that the couple decided to end their relationship in December while both in Spain over the Christmas period. The Barcelona-based paper wrote their relationship is still “cordial, stable and friendly” despite deciding to part ways.The report also claims they have been living apart for nearly five years after Cristina moved back to Barcelona to run her fashion company.But she has been moving from Spain to London – still spending time with City manager Guardiola.Most read in FootballCity declined to comment when approached over reports of the split.Guardiola is believed to have met Cristina in her family’s clothes store called Serra Claret when he was just 18.Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s recen struggles could be a response to the end of his marriage to teenage sweetheart  Cristina SerraHe was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in Serra’s shop when he first met Cristina.And even as recently as January 2024, the former midfielder revealed Cristina helps pick out his matchday outfits.Serra Claret stock many brands he has worn on the touchline, such as Dsquared2, CP Company and Armani.He told Men In Blazers: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, but especially in fashion.”So she says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow her.”I am smart enough to know that when people are much much better than me, follow their advices, and hers is really good.”Despite meeting as teens, they waited a long time to get married.They tied the knot in 2014 in an intimate ceremony in Spain – a private service just for close family in Catalonia.And the two have three children, Maria, Marius and Valentina.Pep Guardiola and Cristina in July 2024Credit: RexThe couple met as teenagersCredit: GettyThe two pictured in 2013 in MunichCredit: Bongarts – GettyEldest daughter Maria, 24, is a model who has over 900,000 followers on Instagram.Son Marius, 22, currently resides in Dubai and runs three companies – one of them dedicated to advertising and marketing.And youngest Valentina, 17, is focused on studies.Cristina supported Guardiola as a player and then manager – his career as a boss starting with Barcelona in 2008.He won three LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies with Barca before moving to Bayern Munich in 2013.He left Germany in 2016 after three seasons – in each of which he won the Bundesliga.Guardiola joined City in 2016 and has won SIX Premier League titles during his reign – and also a Champions League in 2023 to complete an historic Treble.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut this season has seen a dip in form, with with six losses leaving the club in sixth – 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.Guardiola with Cristina and their three kids in 2018Credit: PA:Press AssociationEldest Maria is a modelCredit: INSTAGRAM More