Pep Guardiola says he was left feeling “embarrassed” and “ashamed” after a tense interaction with a television cameraman in the immediate aftermath of Manchester City’s defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.
The match at St James’ Park had already been charged with emotion, and Guardiola’s visible frustration spilled over at full-time.
Moments after exchanging words with Newcastle’s captain, Bruno Guimaraes, the City manager approached a Sky Sports camera operator and lifted the worker’s headset to speak directly into his ear—an incident widely captured by photographers stationed around the touchline.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola says he was left feeling “embarrassed” and “ashamed” as he reflected candidly on the scene that circulated rapidly online, saying his reaction was something he regretted almost instantly.
“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 [in management], 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.
“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.”
The Sky Blues’ loss on Tyneside added another twist to a turbulent weekend in the Premier League, but it was Guardiola’s emotional response at the whistle that drew as much attention as the contest itself.
The normally composed City boss has occasionally displayed flashes of intensity in moments of high pressure, but he rarely addresses them with the degree of openness he showed on Monday.
Guardiola made it clear that the combination of the atmosphere, the stakes, and the late-game drama had briefly overwhelmed him.
Though the altercation was non-violent, Guardiola explained that, on reflection, the moment did not represent the example he aims to set.
He stressed that the cameraman had done nothing wrong and that his apology came instantly—something he described as essential once he realised how the situation appeared to those watching.
Guardiola downplays clash with Guimaraes
While the footage of Guardiola leaning in toward the TV operator has dominated conversation, another flashpoint occurred seconds earlier between the City manager and Bruno Guimaraes.
The pair were seen in a heated exchange near the centre circle shortly after the referee’s final whistle.
However, Guardiola was quick to pour cold water on any suggestion of hostility between them, saying his relationship with the Newcastle midfielder remains positive.
“We have known Bruno for many, many years and every time after the game, even at the Etihad [Stadium], we talk in the tunnel or wherever we talk, always,” Guardiola continued.
“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.”
The interaction with Guimaraes appeared to begin harmlessly but escalated as emotions peaked following a fiery conclusion to the match.
Spectators noted animated gestures from both men, but Guardiola insisted the two enjoy mutual respect and that the exchange was nothing more than the sort of intense discussion that occasionally arises in top-level football.
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Guardiola acknowledged he is deeply expressive—something he believes contributes to his success, even if it sometimes leads to moments of regret.
He reaffirmed that defending his players is central to who he is as a manager and that passion often comes to the surface when tensions run high.
As he spoke ahead of the Champions League fixture, Guardiola also took the opportunity to make a broader point about the competitive standards required to win the Premier League.
Despite the heavy spotlight on Saturday’s events, Guardiola made it clear he wants to draw a line under the incident.
For him, the focus now turns to Europe, where Manchester City face a difficult test against a rising Bayer Leverkusen side.
Yet his admission of embarrassment underscores how seriously he takes his conduct in public.
