Manchester City's manager Expresses Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Magpies
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" after a confrontation with a camera operator in the wake of Manchester City's 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 match official Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, looking back. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the operator. That's just me. After 1,000 games I'm far from perfect, errors happen."
"One thing is certain, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. Why I want to defend my team is no doubt – based on my career to clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment
City are 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. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."
The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies last winter when we won the quadruple? Never."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with Guimarães, 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 I always have a good relationship. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I love to talk and gesticulate."
Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "Not if it's respectful as I do, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, he was involved."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning on Barnes' goal 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 against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "It’s quite good, it means that every season annually," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
