Manchester City's manager Expresses Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Defeat to Newcastle
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" following an exchange with a TV crew member subsequent to the Citizens' loss away to the Magpies 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 Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. That's just me. After 1,000 games I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. The reason why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, high nineties, or we fall short."
City's Position and Manager's Take
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points following their fourth loss of the season. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything."
The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, have you ever heard me about the quadruple in December when we won the quadruple? No."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and post-match, even at the Etihad, we converse. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "No - as long as you talk with respect like I always have done, it's fine," he noted, mentioning the referee. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, very much so."
Debatable Calls
City were unhappy that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Subsequent images show he was level.
Upcoming Milestone
Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "It’s quite good, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points after four games in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
