Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Camera Operator Incident Following Loss to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted feeling "shame" after an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola stepped onto the field and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. After 1,000 games I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. The reason why I want to defend my team is clear – based on my career to clinch the title we have to do 100 points, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
Team Standing and Manager's Take
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat this campaign. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
When questioned about a potential quadruple could be achieved, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? No."
Exchange with Bruno
Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno a long time and every time after the game, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind should a rival coach addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "Not if it's respectful as I do, it's fine," he said, mentioning the referee. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, very much so."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle against Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images show he was level.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, it means that every season annually," he commented.
The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.
