🔗 Share this article

The City boss confessed experiencing "embarrassment" following a confrontation with a TV crew member subsequent to Manchester City's loss away to the Magpies on Saturday.

At full time, a visibly upset Guardiola stepped onto the field and engaged in intense talks with match official 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, looking back. It's not acceptable. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."

"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. Why I support my squad is clear – based on my career to clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, high nineties, or we fall short."

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. "Four defeats in twelve matches we have to improve a lot," he conceded. "Technically, we can to win everything."

When questioned if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, have you ever heard me discuss four trophies in December when we won the quadruple? No."

Exchange with Bruno

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 converse. We often meet and I always have a good relationship. I love it. I'm passionate, I like discussing and gesticulate."

He wouldn't mind should a rival coach spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "No - as long as it's respectful as I do, it’s not a problem," he noted, mentioning the referee. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."

Controversial Decisions

The team felt aggrieved that the officials denied a spot-kick for a Fabian Schär challenge against Foden, and doubted if Guimarães was offside 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 on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season annually," he commented.

City have 10 points after four games of the league phase, while Leverkusen have five.