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Pep Guardiola has admitted experiencing "embarrassment" following an exchange with a camera operator subsequent to Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.

At full time, an emotional 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," the manager remarked. "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, when I see it. It's not acceptable. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. That's just me. With a thousand matches under my belt I'm far from perfect, errors happen."

"What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. The reason why I want to defend my team is clear – because from my experience to clinch the title we need near-perfect totals, 98 points, or we fall short."

Team Standing and Manager's Take

City are third and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points 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 to win everything."

The manager was asked if this meant the quadruple was a realistic aim, Guardiola answered: "You are an experienced journalist, did you hear my talk discuss four trophies last winter during our historic run? No."

Exchange with Bruno

Regarding his confrontation with the Newcastle player, the coach explained: "We have known Bruno for many years and post-match, home or away, we talk in the tunnel. We often meet and we get along well. I love it. I'm passionate, I love to talk and gesticulate."

Guardiola would not be concerned if an opposition manager addressed his squad right after the final whistle. "Not if you talk with respect as I do, it’s not a problem," he said, before referencing Barrott. "He was part of it for 95 minutes, 98 minutes, constantly. Goodness, he was involved."

Controversial Decisions

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

Upcoming Milestone

He will manage his century in Europe against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. "That's impressive, it means that every season we have been there," he said.

City have 10 points after four games of the league phase, and Leverkusen hold five.