Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Loss to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to Manchester City's loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.
At full time, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, I make huge mistakes."
"One thing is certain, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. Why I support my squad is clear – based on my career to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, or we fall short."
Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points following their fourth loss this campaign. "Four defeats in twelve matches means we must do better," he conceded. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk about the quadruple in December when we won the quadruple? No."
Exchange with Bruno
Regarding his confrontation with Guimarães, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and post-match, even at the Etihad, we converse. We often meet and we get along well. I enjoy it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players immediately after a game. "No - as long as it's respectful like I always have done, it's fine," he said, mentioning the referee. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, he was involved. My God, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
He will manage of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "It’s quite good, it means that every season annually," he said.
The club has ten points after four games in the group, while Leverkusen have five.