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Thierry Henry has stated that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is currently 'not well mentally' following his unexpected separation from wife Cristina Serra, amid the club’s continuing struggles on the pitch.

This season has proven to be one of the toughest for Guardiola, both professionally and personally. Manchester City have been facing a significant dip in form and morale, highlighted by a crushing 5-1 defeat to Arsenal. Although the team managed to secure a place in the Champions League knockout play-off stage, their domestic campaign has been far from convincing. The reigning Premier League champions now trail league leaders Liverpool by 12 points, having recorded only four wins in their last ten league fixtures.

Guardiola’s challenges extend beyond football. Reports last month revealed that he and Cristina Serra, his partner of 36 years, have decided to part ways. According to Spanish outlet Sport, one of the main reasons behind their separation was Guardiola’s decision to renew his contract with Manchester City until 2027. The family had initially planned to move to the United Arab Emirates, but Serra reportedly chose to end the marriage after Guardiola opted to remain in England to continue his managerial stint.

Henry, who previously played under Guardiola at Barcelona, spoke candidly about the emotional strain that personal issues can have on a public figure in football. Speaking on Sky Sports after City’s heavy defeat to Arsenal, the former Arsenal legend expressed his empathy for his ex-manager, saying, “Do I feel sorry about what’s happening to Man City and Pep? Yes, I do, in one way. It’s not easy coping with what Pep has to face outside football. I went through that when I joined Barcelona. It’s difficult to handle such things when you’re not mentally well.”

Henry added, “You can tell he’s not his usual self. I’ve experienced that during my time at Barcelona—it’s never easy. Nobody wants to deal with personal turmoil while being expected to perform at the highest level. So, I can understand what he’s going through. But when you look at their performance on the field, it’s simply not good enough. I don’t think they can handle teams that challenge them relentlessly for all ninety minutes.”

Guardiola first met Cristina Serra when he was 18 years old, and the couple share three children—Maria (24), Marius (22), and Valentina (17). Their relationship has long been a cornerstone of Guardiola’s personal life, but reports suggest that tensions had been building for some time. According to The Sun, Guardiola visited Barcelona in October to meet Serra, and the pair were seen at Bodega Sepulveda, one of his favourite restaurants. A waiter reportedly described their interaction as “tense.”

Despite the turbulence in his personal life, Guardiola remains focused on restoring Manchester City’s campaign. The team currently sits fifth in the Premier League table—an unusual position for a side that has dominated English football in recent years. Following their defeat to Arsenal, City will now turn their attention to the FA Cup, where they face Leyton Orient in a fourth-round clash on Saturday. Guardiola will view the fixture as a chance to rebuild momentum and push City back into contention for major honours.