Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the Manchester City chairman, led the messages of condolence to Pep Guardiola’s family after his mother Dolors Sala Carrio tragically died with coronavirus.
A City statement released on Monday afternoon said that Guardiola’s 82-year-old mother had passed away in Manresa in Catalonia.
“Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends,” the club said.
Mubarak said that Guardiola could count on the “love and support” of the entire City family at this time. “Our prayers and heartfelt sympathies are with Pep and his family at this overwhelmingly sad time,” he added.
City midfielders Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne both tweeted their condolences to their manager, who recently donated €1m to help the fight against coronavirus in Spain.
“My family and I send our condolences to Pep and his family for the loss of their mother today,” Fernandinho said. “Let God comfort their hearts.”
“Thoughts are with Pep and his family at this time,” said De Bruyne. “One team.”
Benjamin Mendy, the City defender, tweeted: “You always have treated me like a son and just like in a family we laugh together, we also cry together. My deepest condolences to Pep and all the Guardiola family.”
Many English and European clubs paid tribute to Guardiola’s mother and sent condolences, including City’s local rivals Manchester United.
Barcelona, Guardiola’s boyhood club and where he has spent 17 years of his professional career in football, said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
“We would like to express our most heartfelt condolences, especially to Pep Guardiola, his family, and his friends. Rest in peace.”
Spain’s coronavirus death toll stands at 13,055 after a further 637 deaths on Monday alone. The country’s number of deaths is second only to Italy, which has suffered almost 16,000.
Guardiola’s €1m donation last month has helped purchase and manufacture much-needed medical equipment for hospitals and health centres in Catalonia.
