Pep Guardiola Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Loss to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" after a confrontation with a camera operator in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies this past weekend.
At full time, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks 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, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. Why I support my squad is no doubt – based on my career to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points 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 still achieve all."
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 in December during our historic run? Never."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "I've known him for many years and every time after the game, home or away, we converse. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind should a rival coach addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "Not if you talk with respect like I always have done, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it throughout the match, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle on Phil Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "It’s quite good, it means that every season we have been there," he said.
City have 10 points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.