Manchester City's manager Expresses Regret Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Loss to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following a confrontation with a camera operator in the wake of Manchester City's loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with match official Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. Why I support my squad is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
City's Position and Manager's Take
The team sits in third and are seven behind the Gunners following their fourth loss this campaign. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."
The manager was asked about a potential quadruple was a realistic aim, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? No."
Interaction with Guimarães
Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and every time after the game, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I enjoy it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "No - as long as it's respectful like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it throughout the match, he was involved. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Upcoming Milestone
He will manage his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "It’s quite good, it means that every season annually," he said.
The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.