Inside Pep Guardiola's life in Manchester, from city center to tapas restaurant

It's been just under nine years since a new face, Pep Guardiola, arrived in the north-west of England to begin life as manager of Manchester City.

Nearly a decade and 18 major honors later, the Catalan coach is still here and isn't planning to go anywhere yet.

His latest contract extension at the Premier League side will see his stay surpass the 10-year mark, with Guardiola – in more ways than one – part of the furniture in Manchester.

But why did the man who spent four years at the helm of FC Barcelona and only three years at Bayern find life so easy in the mud of Manchester?

Where does Pep Guardiola live?

It's definitely not because of the weather, that's for sure. But despite the rainy days (and weeks, months and years), Guardiola has been allowed to live a largely stressed and worry-free life in Manchester.

His base in the city center was a luxury apartment in the CitySuites Aparthotel – a hotel-turned-apartment building that housed the city's rich and famous.

Guardiola is said to have spent a whopping £2.7 million to acquire the property in 2017, with Manchester City themselves reportedly renting out two floors of the building for long-term guests.

Investment in a tapas restaurant in the city center

Aside from his all-conquering football team, one of Guardiola's greatest pride and joys in the city is his tapas restaurant, Tast Catala.

Located a stone's throw from its sumptuous building, on the other side of the River Irwell, the restaurant aims to “bring the best of Barcelona” to Mancunian plates.

Guardiola, alongside City CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, is a co-investor in the joint and is said to regularly dine at the restaurant.

Pep Guardiola's family life in Manchester

Pep met his wife when they were teenagers in Catalonia, and the couple eventually married in 2014.

His wife Cristina comes from a fashion family dynasty, owning the Serra Claret boutique in Barcelona, ​​with three children, Valentina, Marius and Maria – the latter having previously been in a relationship with former Everton ace Dele Alli .

While the family are often seen together celebrating the various trophies won by City at the end of the season, it is understood that his wife Cristina resides at the family home in Barcelona.

Struggles on the roads of Manchester

Although he could have led City to six Premier League titles in seven years, Guardiola would have struggled on Mancunian roads.

As detailed in an extract from Lu Martin and Pol Ballus' 2019 book, Pep's City: The Making Of A Superteam, the former Barca chief's driving habits leave a lot to be desired.

It read: “Since his years at Barcelona he has had a reputation as an unhappy driver and this is his fourth car he has owned since moving to Manchester,” they wrote.

“His wing mirrors didn't survive long and he also managed to fill a diesel Range Rover with petrol and mutilate a silver Bentley.”

Pep Guardiola's fashion influence from his wife

Much like his garage, Guardiola has an extensive wardrobe filled with extravagant designer pieces, but unlike his car collection, Pep's clothes are chosen by his other half.

His sideline style, as the kids like to call it, evolved throughout his time in Manchester, from simple shirt and tie numbers upon his arrival, to a stylish sweater and coat combination from the CP Company in recent months.

But, like most men in clothing difficulties, Guardiola is not afraid to ask his wife for a helping hand.

Speaking in an interview in 2022, he told Sky Sports: “My wife is so stylish, she helps me a lot. Absolutely, since I met her, before I was a disaster, now I'm stylish , thanks to her.”

A sumptuous collection of wines

But apart from his undying love for the beautiful game, there are very few things Guardiola loves more than a cheeky drink.

The Daily Star claimed in 2021 that Guardiola spent more than £200,000 on bottles of vintage wine from a single specific vineyard.

The report goes on to suggest that Guardiola may have even splurged almost half a million pounds on Riojas, Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots in that summer alone.