'I feel embarrassed': Legendary Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola 'ashamed' of cameraman clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was embarrassed and ashamed after a confrontation with a cameraman following his side's Premier League defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday (AEDT).

Guardiola was furious at several decisions during the 2-1 loss at St James' Park and appeared to take out his frustration on a pitch-side TV cameraman after the final whistle.

Speaking on Tuesday (AEDT) ahead of City's Champions League home clash with Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola said: "I feel embarrassed and ashamed when I see it. I don't like it.

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"I apologise to the cameraman. I am who I am. Even with 1000 games, I am not a perfect person, and I make mistakes. I defend my team and my club."

City's defeat left them seven points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, but they will have an immediate chance to shrug off any hangover as they take on Leverkusen in what will be Guardiola's 100th Champions League game as City manager.

On yet another milestone, shortly after reaching 1000 games as a manager, Guardiola said: "I realise I'm getting old. It's good. It means every season we've been there.

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"It's a huge competition. It's special for the players. To challenge yourself with the best teams in Europe is incredible, a huge experience. For the club, in terms of reputation, prestige and financial issues, it's massively important."

City are fourth in the Champions League table after three wins and a draw, and victory at home to 21st-placed Leverkusen would leave them in a strong position to claim a top-eight position and avoid the necessity of a playoff to reach the knockout rounds, a situation that cost them dear last season when they bowed out 6-3 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

"Now we start the last four games," Guardiola said.

"Two at home, two away. Tomorrow (Leverkusen, who are) third in the table in Bundesliga. Massively important game to finish in the first eight, and we need tomorrow and one more point we will be qualified for the next round.

"Tomorrow is important, and focus on what we have to do."

Guardiola confirmed that midfielder Rodri will miss the game, as will Mateo Kovacic.

Asked how long the Spaniard will be out, Guardiola said: "Not long, but not sure when he will be back. We will wait a little bit more to make sure he is fine."

The agitated manager also had a testy post-match conversation with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.

Guardiola said he was inquiring about an incident between Guimaraes and City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Donnarumma was booked after complaining about not being awarded a free kick for being impeded by Guimaraes.

"I asked what happened with Gigio (Donnarumma) and him. Everything is fine," Guardiola said.

"No questions, everything is fine. I said how good he (Guimaraes) is, but that (discussion) is for private situations. Everything is fine."

It was unclear why Guardiola took umbrage with the cameraman, and he declined to blame the officials despite plenty of controversial moments.

Guardiola and his staff were on their feet demanding a penalty for a first-half challenge on Phil Foden, and Newcastle's winning goal was the subject of a long review for several possible infractions in the build-up before it was allowed to stand.

"It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly," Guardiola told the BBC, adding that he had "no questions" despite talking to the referee after the final whistle.

The opening 45 minutes saw both sides miss plenty of opportunities, and all the goals came between the 63rd and 70th minutes as Newcastle's Harvey Barnes struck twice, either side of a Ruben Dias equaliser for City.

"Both keepers were good, and after we missed chances," Guardiola said.

"It was an entertaining game with many chances; we were closer in the beginning."

The defeat denied City the opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal, who top the table on 26 points, with City now third on 22 points, having played one game more.

"Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager, so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had," Guardiola said.

"It was an entertaining game, we both had chances, and then there was a momentum shift, and ultimately we couldn't win."

For 14th-placed Newcastle's goal-scorer Barnes, a rare win over City was just what the club needed after a slow start to the season.

"Hopefully after today's result we can kick on and go on a good run," he told the BBC.

- with Sam Worthington