Meet Pep Guardiola’s Parents: All About Dolors Sala Carrió and Valenti Guardiola

Pep Guardiola, one of the most renowned football managers in the world, credits much of his success to the supportive upbringing provided by his parents, Dolors Sala Carrió and Valenti Guardiola.

Born on January 18, 1971, in Santpedor, a small town in Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola grew up in a close-knit Roman Catholic family of Catalan heritage. His father, Valenti, worked as a bricklayer, while his mother, Dolors, was a former sales assistant. Tragically, Dolors passed away in April 2020. Pep has three siblings: older sisters, Francesca Guardiola and Olga Guardiola, and a younger brother, Pere Guardiola, who later became a football agent.

Football became the centerpiece of Guardiola‘s life early on. At 13, he joined La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, beginning his professional football journey. While his local schooling in Santpedor shaped his early years, La Masia offered an education that combined traditional academics with rigorous football training.

Growing up, Guardiola’s family provided an environment that nurtured his passion for football. His siblings and parents fostered a culture of encouragement and dedication, making football a shared family pursuit. This strong foundation, paired with his transformative experience at La Masia, became pivotal in shaping Guardiola’s identity as both a player and a coach.

The influence of his upbringing and early education is evident in Guardiola‘s managerial philosophy, which emphasizes discipline, strategy, and a deep connection to the game. His journey from Santpedor to becoming a footballing maestro was clearly shaped by the people and places surrounding him.

Dolors Sala Carrió

Dolors Sala Carrió was born into a family in Santpedor, Catalonia, where she would later raise her family. Known for her warmth and hospitality, Dolors was a former sales assistant, and her life was deeply intertwined with family and community.

She shared a long and loving marriage with Valenti Guardiola, raising four children together, including Pep, who was the third of their brood.

Those close to Dolors described her as a reserved individual, contrasting with her husband’s more outgoing nature. She was a pivotal figure in Pep‘s life, supporting his early football career even when it meant moving him to Barcelona for training at La Masia.

Tragically, Dolors passed away on April 6, 2020, at the age of 82 after contracting the coronavirus. Her death was announced by Manchester City, where Pep was managing at the time, and condolences flooded in from across the football community.

Before her passing, Dolors had seen her son become one of the sport’s most iconic figures, managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City to numerous titles.

Valenti Guardiola

Valenti Guardiola, Pep‘s father, worked as a bricklayer, a profession that taught him the value of manual labor and resilience, traits he passed onto his son. Valenti was known for his pride in Pep’s achievements and often celebrated his son’s successes, even from the sidelines.

Valenti played a crucial role in Pep‘s football journey, particularly in his early years. He encouraged Pep to try out for Barcelona after filling out a form from a sports newspaper, which eventually led to Pep‘s admission into La Masia, the club’s famed youth academy.

Valenti‘s influence was also seen in his support for Pep‘s coaching career, proudly representing his son at award ceremonies and public events when Pep couldn’t be there himself.

In interviews, Valenti has expressed how football transformed Pep, noting his obsession with the game and transformation in the footballing context. Despite not having played football, Valenti recognized Pep‘s unique talent and passion for the sport, which he described as an “art form.”

Together, Dolors and Valenti provided a stable, supportive home environment in Santpedor, where Pep and his siblings, Francesca, Olga, and Pere, were raised. Pere, Pep‘s younger brother, has followed in the family’s football legacy as a football agent. The family’s closeness is evident in how they celebrated Pep‘s successes, with family members often seen at matches or in moments of pride like trophy lifts.

Pep has often spoken about how his parents shaped his philosophy in football and life. His approach to management, emphasizing teamwork, humility, and continuous learning, can be traced back to the lessons learned from Valenti and Dolors.