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The City boss confessed feeling "shame" following an exchange with a camera operator in the wake of Manchester City's 2-1 defeat away to the Magpies this past weekend.

When the match concluded, an emotional Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and had heated discussions with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of the camera operator.

"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, errors happen."

"What is for sure, I stand by my team and club, without a doubt. The reason why I want to defend my team is no doubt – because from my experience to win the Premier League we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."

Team Standing and Guardiola's Assessment

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 we have to improve a lot," he conceded. "Mathematically, it’s possible still achieve all."

The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, have you ever heard me about the quadruple last winter when we won the quadruple? No."

Exchange with Bruno

Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, Guardiola said: "I've known him for many years and every time after the game, home or away, we converse. Our paths always cross and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and move my hands."

He wouldn't mind if an opposition manager addressed his squad immediately after a game. "No - as long as it's respectful as I do, it's fine," he noted, before referencing Barrott. "The referee was involved for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. My God, he was involved."

Controversial Decisions

City were unhappy that the officials did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted if Guimarães was offside on Barnes' goal Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Pictures published later show he was level.

Upcoming Milestone

He will manage of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "It’s quite good, it means that every season we have been there," he commented.

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