Pep Guardiola has issued a public apology after an altercation with a cameraman in the tense moments following Manchester City’s 2–1 Premier League loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park. The Manchester City manager, visibly angered by a series of contentious decisions that went against his team, acknowledged that his behaviour crossed the line and said he felt “embarrassed” after watching the footage.
City were left frustrated by a denied penalty appeal, a handball claim, and a marginal offside call that shaped the defeat. Guardiola walked straight toward referee Sam Barrott at full time before confronting a cameraman, briefly removing the man’s headphones so he could speak to him directly. He addressed the incident after the match and admitted that his emotions got the better of him.
He said he apologised immediately and could not defend the way he reacted. He spoke about the weight of the moment, noting that after a thousand matches he is still capable of making mistakes driven by his desire to protect his players and defend the club. The manager said he regretted the confrontation and accepted full responsibility for his conduct.
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The match had already been heated on the pitch. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to be ushered down the tunnel, while Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was held back by manager Eddie Howe. Guardiola also exchanged words with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, though he later downplayed the encounter. He said he has known Bruno for years and that they often speak after matches, insisting he still considers their relationship a friendly one. He described himself as expressive and emotional, explaining that gestures come naturally when tensions run high.
City now shift their focus to the Champions League, where they meet Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The club remains unbeaten in the competition and sits fourth in the group standings. A win against the Bundesliga side would strengthen their push for a top eight finish and secure a clearer path to the knockout stage. The night will also mark Guardiola’s one hundredth Champions League match as Manchester City manager, a milestone tied to their celebrated 2023 triumph over Inter Milan in Istanbul.
