Manchester City's manager Voices Regret Over Camera Operator Altercation Following Loss to Newcastle
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" following an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to the Citizens' loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with match official Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"One thing is certain, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. Why I support my squad is no doubt – because from my experience 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 means we must do better," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? No."
Interaction with Guimarães
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno for many years and every time after the game, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I enjoy it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "No - as long as you talk with respect as I do, it’s not a problem," he noted, mentioning the referee. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, he was involved. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Pictures published later show he was level.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
