Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Loss to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted feeling "shame" after a confrontation with a TV crew member subsequent to Manchester City's loss at Newcastle this past weekend.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola stepped onto the field and had heated discussions with match official Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, looking back. It's not acceptable. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, I make huge mistakes."
"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. The reason why I support my squad is no doubt – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, high nineties, otherwise we don’t win it."
City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat this campaign. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."
The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me about the quadruple last winter during our historic run? No."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with Guimarães, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno a long time and every time after the game, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and move my hands."
Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach spoke to his players immediately after a game. "Not if you talk with respect like I always have done, it's fine," he said, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
City were unhappy that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle on Phil 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 against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "It’s quite good, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.