Man City coach Pep Guardiola's mother dies after contracting virus
Pep Guardiola reacts during an English Premier League match, in Manchester, Britain, M between Manchester United and Manchester City held at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (EPA Photo)


Pep Guardiola's 82-year-old mother has died after contracting the coronavirus, Manchester City announced Monday.

"The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep's mother Dolors Sala Carrio in Manresa, Barcelona, after contracting coronavirus," the Premier League club said in a statement.

"Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends."

Guardiola, 49, last month donated 1 million euros ($1 million) to buy medical supplies for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in his native Spain.

He also issued a video as part of the club's Cityzens At Home initiative urging fans to stay home.

Spain declared a fourth consecutive drop in the number of coronavirus-related deaths on Monday, with 637 over the past 24 hours, the lowest number in nearly two weeks.

Fatalities, which were sharply down from the record 950 on Thursday, brought the total deaths in the country to 13,055, second only to Italy in Europe.