Manchester City's manager Expresses Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Magpies
The City boss confessed experiencing "embarrassment" after an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to Manchester City's loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola stepped onto the field and engaged in intense talks with the referee, Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, when I see it. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. The reason why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, high nineties, otherwise we don’t win it."
Team Standing and Manager's Take
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points following their fourth loss of the season. "Four defeats in twelve matches means we must do better," he conceded. "Technically, we can to win everything."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk about the quadruple last winter during our historic run? Never."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "We have known Bruno a long time 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."
Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach addressed his squad immediately after a game. "No - as long as it's respectful like I always have done, it's fine," he said, mentioning the referee. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Upcoming Milestone
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "It’s quite good, showing we compete we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches of the league phase, while Leverkusen have five.