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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has attempted to draw a line under the controversy that followed his side’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, offering an apology for his clash with a pitch-side cameraman at St James’ Park.
Guardiola’s anger had been building throughout the match, with City disputing a penalty appeal, a handball claim and a marginal offside decision. When the final whistle sounded, the Spaniard strode onto the pitch to confront referee Sam Barrott and also removed the headphones of a nearby cameraman to speak directly into his ear.
“I apologised,” Guardiola said when asked about the incident, though he declined to reveal what he had said in the moment. “I feel embarrassed, ashamed when I see it. I don't like it. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. I am who I am."
“After 1,000 games I'm not a perfect person, I make huge mistakes. The reason why is I want to defend my team and my club.”
Tensions were evident among the players too. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was guided away towards the tunnel, while Joelinton needed to be held back by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. Guardiola also exchanged words with Magpies captain Bruno Guimarães.
“We have known Bruno for many, many years and every time after the game, even at the Etihad, we talk in the tunnel or wherever we talk, always. I don't know what happened,” Guardiola explained. “Our paths always cross and I always have a good relationship with him. I love it. I'm an emotional guy, I love to talk and move my hands and my arms and everything.”
Speaking ahead of City’s Champions League home match against Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola reiterated his regret.
The defeat to Newcastle left City seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League, adding significance to their upcoming European fixture. Tuesday’s match will mark Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game in charge of the club.
“I realise I'm getting old. It's good. It means every season we've been there,” he said. “It's a huge competition. It's special for the players."
“To challenge yourself with the best teams in Europe is incredible, a huge experience. For the club, in terms of reputation, prestige and financial issues, it's massively important.”
Guardiola also acknowledged the broader implications of the defeat, City’s fourth in their opening 12 league games. “Losing four games out of 12 we have to improve a lot,” he said. “Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything.”
He brushed off talk of a quadruple challenge with characteristic impatience: “You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk about the quadruple in December when we won the quadruple? No.”
City’s frustrations on Tyneside stemmed from a series of officiating calls. The club felt Phil Foden had been fouled by Fabian Schär inside the area and questioned whether Guimarães was offside in the build-up to Harvey Barnes’ winner, though later images suggested the midfielder had timed his run correctly.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Siddhesh Sawant
