Pep Guardiola has admitted feeling "shame" following an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of Manchester City's 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies on Saturday.
When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola stepped onto the field and had heated discussions with match official Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the broadcast crew's equipment.
"I apologised," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. After 1,000 games I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."
"One thing is certain, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. The reason why I support my squad is clear – based on my career to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, or we fall short."
Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment
The team sits in third and are seven behind the Gunners following their fourth loss of the season. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," Guardiola admitted. "Technically, we can still achieve all."
When questioned if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies last winter when we won the quadruple? No."
Exchange with Bruno
Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "I've known him a long time and post-match, even at the Etihad, we converse. We often meet and we get along well. I enjoy it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "No - as long as you talk with respect like I always have done, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved throughout the match, constantly. My God, very much so."
Debatable Calls
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty on a Schär tackle on Phil Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images indicate the Brazilian was onside.
Upcoming Milestone
He will manage of his 100th Champions League game versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, showing we compete annually," he said.
The club has ten points from four matches of the league phase, while Leverkusen have five.
