Manchester City's manager Voices Regret Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Defeat to Magpies
Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following an exchange with a camera operator in the wake of the Citizens' 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies on Saturday.
At full time, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. It's not acceptable. I immediately apologized to the operator. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"One thing is certain, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. Why I support my squad is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, high nineties, otherwise we don’t win it."
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 means we must do better," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies in December during our historic run? Never."
Interaction with Guimarães
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "I've known him a long time and post-match, home or away, we converse. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I like discussing and gesticulate."
Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach spoke to his players immediately after a game. "Not if it's respectful like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, 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 did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
He will manage of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he said.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, while Leverkusen have five.
