Pep Guardiola Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Incident Following Loss to Magpies
The City boss confessed experiencing "embarrassment" after a confrontation with a camera operator subsequent to the Citizens' loss at Newcastle on Saturday.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset 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 headphones of the camera operator.
"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. 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 defend any team and my club, without a doubt. The reason why I want to defend my team is clear – based on my career to clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."
Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners following their fourth loss of the season. "Losing four games out of 12 we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything."
The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies in December during our historic run? No."
Interaction with Guimarães
Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him 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 spoke to his players immediately after a game. "No - as long as you talk with respect like I always have done, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, he was involved."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored the decisive strike. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
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 annually," he commented.
The club has ten points after four games in the group, and Leverkusen hold five.
