Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Camera Operator Altercation Following Defeat to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following a confrontation with a TV crew member in the wake of the Citizens' loss at Newcastle on Saturday.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, I make huge mistakes."
"One thing is certain, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. The reason why I support my squad is no doubt – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."
Team Standing and Manager's Take
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," he conceded. "Technically, we can to win everything."
The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies in December during our historic run? Never."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and post-match, home or away, we converse. Our paths always cross and I always have a good relationship. I enjoy it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "Not if you talk with respect like I always have done, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, very much so."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle against Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
He will manage his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, showing we compete we have been there," he said.
The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.
