Pep Guardiola has admitted feeling "shame" following an exchange with a TV crew member in the wake of the Citizens' loss away to the Magpies this past weekend.
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, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.
"I said sorry," the manager remarked. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. It's not acceptable. 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."
"One thing is certain, I defend any team and my club, without a doubt. Why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it."
City are third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points following their fourth loss of the season. "Losing four games out of 12 means we must do better," Guardiola admitted. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."
When questioned about a potential quadruple could be achieved, he responded: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me about the quadruple last winter during our historic run? Never."
On the subject of his talk with Guimarães, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno for many years and every time after the game, 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 like discussing and gesticulate."
He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager spoke to his players immediately after a game. "No - as long as it's respectful as I do, it's fine," he said, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it throughout the match, he was involved. Goodness, very much so."
The team felt aggrieved that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty on a Schär tackle against Foden, and doubted if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal the decisive strike. Pictures published later show he was level.
Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game versus Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.
The club has ten points from four matches of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.
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