Manchester City's manager Voices Remorse Over Broadcast Crew Altercation Following Defeat to Magpies

Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" after an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle this past weekend.

At full time, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with match official Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the broadcast crew's equipment.

"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, when I see it. It's not acceptable. 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, errors happen."

"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, that’s for sure. Why I support my squad is no doubt – because from my experience to clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, high nineties, otherwise we don’t win it."

Team Standing and Manager's Take

City are third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points following their fourth loss this campaign. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."

The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? Never."

Interaction with Guimarães

Regarding his confrontation with Guimarães, the coach explained: "I've known him for many years and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and I always have a good relationship. I love it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and move my hands."

Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "Not if it's respectful as I do, it’s not a problem," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved throughout the match, 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 against Foden, and doubted Bruno's positioning when Harvey Barnes scored the decisive strike. Pictures published later show he was level.

Upcoming Milestone

Guardiola will take charge his century in Europe against Bayer Leverkusen this week. "It’s quite good, it means that every season annually," he said.

City have 10 points from four matches in the group, while Leverkusen have five.