Pep Guardiola Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Newcastle
Pep Guardiola has admitted feeling "shame" following an exchange with a TV crew member subsequent to the Citizens' loss away to the Magpies this past weekend.
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, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I said sorry," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, looking back. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the operator. I am who I am. 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. Why I want to defend my team is no doubt – based on my career to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, or we fall short."
City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points after what was their fourth league defeat this campaign. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can to win everything."
The manager was asked about a potential quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me about the quadruple in December when we won the quadruple? Never."
Exchange with Bruno
On the subject of his talk with Guimarães, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno for many years and every time after the game, even at the Etihad, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and move my hands."
Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "No - as long as you talk with respect 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 denied a spot-kick on a Schär tackle against Foden, while they also questioned Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Next Big Match
He will manage his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches of the league phase, while Leverkusen have five.
