Pep Guardiola Expresses Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Magpies
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" following an exchange with a camera operator in the wake of the Citizens' loss 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 Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. I am who I am. After 1,000 games I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."
"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. Why I support my squad is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 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 of the season. "Losing four games out of 12 we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can 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 in December when we won the quadruple? No."
Interaction with Guimarães
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "I've known him for many years and every time after the game, 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 right after the final whistle. "Not if it's respectful like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."
Controversial Decisions
The team felt aggrieved that the officials did not award City a penalty on a Schär tackle on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored the decisive strike. Pictures published later indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, showing we compete annually," he said.
The club has ten points after four games in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
