Manchester City's manager Voices Regret Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" after an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies this past weekend.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the operator. I am who I am. After 1,000 games I'm far from perfect, I make huge mistakes."
"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. The reason why I support my squad is clear – based on my career to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."
City's Position and Manager's Take
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points after what was their fourth league defeat of the season. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can to win everything."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, 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 the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and gesticulate."
Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "No - as long as you talk with respect as I do, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, he was involved. Goodness, he was involved."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that the officials denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images show he was level.
Upcoming Milestone
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe versus Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, showing we compete annually," he said.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, while Leverkusen have five.