Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Camera Operator Altercation Following Defeat to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" after an exchange with a camera operator in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. 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 defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. The reason why I support my squad is no doubt – based on my career to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
Team Standing and Manager's Take
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat of the season. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
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 in December during our historic run? No."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "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 passionate, I love to talk and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players immediately after a game. "Not if you talk with respect as I do, it's fine," he said, mentioning the referee. "He was part of it throughout the match, he was involved. Goodness, very much so."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle against Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Pictures published later indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
He will manage of his 100th Champions League game versus Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, showing we compete we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.
