Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Defeat to Magpies
The City boss confessed experiencing "embarrassment" following a confrontation with a TV crew member subsequent to Manchester City's loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola stepped onto the field and engaged in intense talks with match official Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and also touched 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. After 1,000 games I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."
"One thing is certain, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. Why I support my squad is no doubt – because from my experience to clinch the title we have to do 100 points, 98 points, or we fall short."
City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat this campaign. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can to win everything."
The manager was asked about a potential quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk about the quadruple last winter when we won the quadruple? No."
Exchange with Bruno
Regarding his confrontation with Guimarães, Guardiola said: "We have known Bruno for many years and post-match, home or away, we converse. Our paths always cross and I always have a good relationship. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and move my hands."
Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "Not if you talk with respect as I do, it’s not a problem," he noted, mentioning the referee. "The referee was involved throughout the match, he was involved. Goodness, very much so."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Pictures published later show he was level.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season annually," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.