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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised after an incident with a camerman at the end of the defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.
Pep Guardiola admitted he was "embarrassed and ashamed" after grabbing a camera operator's headset after Manchester City were beaten at Newcastle on Saturday.
Guardiola argued with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes on the pitch at the end of a fractious game at St James' Park and he then lifted the headphone of the cameraman to speak in his ear. The incident wasn't caught on camera, but it was picked up by photographers.
The post-match press conference at St James' Park focused on controversial refereeing decisions and Gianluigi Donnarumma's complaints about the Magpies' second goal, but Guardiola was asked about the flashpoint with the camera operator ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
Guardiola said he had apologised on the pitch for his behaviour, but explained that it stemmed from his desire to defend his club and the emotions he shows.
"I apologised," he said. "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. It’s not about that. What is for sure, I defend my team and my club, that’s for sure.
"The reason why is I want to defend my team and my club. That is no doubt. Because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, 98 points, otherwise we don’t win it. That’s for sure."
Guardiola also got involved in a row with Guimaraes on the pitch, but sought to play that down when asked about it on Monday.
"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," said Guardiola.
"I don’t know what happened. 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."
He also refused to get into Sam Barrott's performance as referee on Saturday, despite two controversial decisions going against his side, first when Phil Foden wasn't awarded a first-half penalty and then when Donnarumma didn't get a free-kick just before the winner. Guardiola insisted he would discuss Premier League matters ahead of the Leeds United game.
"The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, he was involved. My god, he was involved," the City boss said.
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