Manchester City's manager Expresses Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Loss to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies on Saturday.
At full time, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I immediately apologized 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 defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. Why I support my squad is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 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 we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything."
The manager was asked about a potential quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies last winter when we won the quadruple? No."
Interaction with Guimarães
Regarding his confrontation with Guimarães, Guardiola said: "We have known Bruno for many years and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and I always have a good relationship. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and gesticulate."
Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "Not if it's respectful as I do, it's fine," he said, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, he was involved."
Debatable Calls
City were unhappy that the officials denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Pictures published later indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Upcoming Milestone
He will manage of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he said.
The club has ten points after four games in the group, while Leverkusen have five.
