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

At full time, a visibly upset Guardiola entered the St James’ Park pitch and engaged in intense talks with the referee, Sam Barrott and Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and also touched the headphones of the camera operator.

"I apologised," Guardiola stated. "I'm humiliated, regretful, when I see it. I don’t like it. I apologised after one second to the operator. I am who I am. With a thousand matches under my belt I’m not a perfect person, I make huge mistakes."

"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. Why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to win the Premier League we have to do 100 points, high nineties, otherwise we don’t win it."

City's Position and Guardiola's Assessment

The team sits in third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points after what was their fourth league defeat this campaign. "Four defeats in twelve matches means we must do better," he conceded. "Technically, we can still achieve all."

The manager was asked about a potential quadruple could be achieved, he responded: "As a seasoned reporter, did you hear my talk about the quadruple last winter when we won the quadruple? Never."

Exchange with Bruno

Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno a long time and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and we get along well. I love it. I’m an emotional guy, I like discussing and gesticulate."

Guardiola would not be concerned should a rival coach spoke to his players right after the final whistle. "Not if you talk with respect 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."

Debatable Calls

City were unhappy that Barrott or the VAR did not award City a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and doubted if Guimarães was offside when Harvey Barnes scored Newcastle’s 70th-minute winner. Pictures published later indicate the Brazilian was onside.

Upcoming Milestone

He will manage his century in Europe versus Leverkusen this week. "That's impressive, showing we compete annually," he commented.

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