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The City boss confessed experiencing "embarrassment" after a confrontation with a camera operator subsequent to the Citizens' loss away to the Magpies this past weekend.

When the match concluded, a visibly upset Guardiola stepped onto the field and engaged in intense talks with match official Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.

"I said sorry," Guardiola stated. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, looking back. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the cameraman. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt 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 clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."

City's Position and Manager's Take

The team sits in third and are seven behind the Gunners after what was their fourth league defeat of the season. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," he conceded. "Technically, we can to win everything."

The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple could be achieved, Guardiola answered: "As a seasoned reporter, have you ever heard me about the quadruple last winter during our historic run? No."

Exchange with Bruno

Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "I've known him a long time and every time after the game, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and gesticulate."

He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players immediately after a game. "Not if it's respectful like I always have done, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, very much so."

Debatable Calls

The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, while they also questioned if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Subsequent images show he was level.

Next Big Match

He will manage his century in Europe versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, showing we compete we have been there," he commented.

The club has ten points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.