Pep Guardiola Expresses Regret Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Loss to Magpies
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" following an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to Manchester City's loss at Newcastle this past weekend.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with match official Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, 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 far from perfect, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. The reason why I want to defend my team is no doubt – based on my career to clinch the title we have to do 100 points, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
Team Standing and Manager's Take
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners following their fourth loss this campaign. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
The manager was asked about a potential quadruple could be achieved, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? No."
Exchange with Bruno
Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "We have known Bruno a long time and every time after the game, even at the Etihad, we converse. We often meet and I always have a good relationship. I enjoy it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and move my hands."
Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "Not if it's respectful like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."
Debatable Calls
City were unhappy that the officials denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images show he was level.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season annually," he said.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
