Manchester City's manager Voices Regret Over Camera Operator Incident Following Loss to Magpies
The City boss confessed feeling "shame" after an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to Manchester City's loss at Newcastle this past weekend.
When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola stepped onto the field and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.
"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, I make huge mistakes."
"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. 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, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment
City are third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat of the season. "Four defeats in twelve matches 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: "As a seasoned reporter, did you hear my talk about the quadruple in December when we won the quadruple? Never."
Interaction with GuimarĂŁes
On the subject of his talk with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him a long time and post-match, even at the Etihad, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I like discussing and move my hands."
He wouldn't mind should a rival coach spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "Not if it's respectful like I always have done, it's fine," he said, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, very much so."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that the officials did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, and doubted if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images show he was level.
Upcoming Milestone
Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he said.
The club has ten points from four matches of the league phase, while Leverkusen have five.