Pep Guardiola Voices Regret Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Loss to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" after a confrontation with a camera operator in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat 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 Magpies midfielder Bruno GuimarĂŁes, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"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 far from perfect, I make huge mistakes."
"One thing is certain, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. Why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, or we fall short."
Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points 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 to win everything."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk about the quadruple last winter during our historic run? No."
Interaction with GuimarĂŁes
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno a long time and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "No - as long as it's respectful like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it throughout the match, constantly. Goodness, very much so."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials did not award City a penalty on a Schär tackle against Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Pictures published later indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Upcoming Milestone
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe 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.