Guardiola Expresses Regret Over Confrontation with Cameraman

Pep Guardiola has publicly expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame following his altercation with a television cameraman after Manchester City’s defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.

The incident occurred on the pitch at St James’ Park, where Guardiola was seen in what appeared to be an intense confrontation with the cameraman. He was also noted for engaging in animated discussions with referee Samuel Barrott and Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães following City’s 2-1 loss.

In a news conference on Monday, Guardiola addressed the situation directly, confirming that he apologized to the cameraman immediately after the incident. He stated, “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, I’m not a perfect person; I make huge mistakes. It’s not about that. What is for sure, I defend any team and my club, that’s for sure. The reason why is I want to defend my team and my club.”

During a somewhat tense press conference ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s visit to the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League on Tuesday, Guardiola also made a subtle reference to Claudio Echeverri’s agent. Echeverri, who is on loan from City at Leverkusen, has faced challenges in securing playing time since his transfer to the Bundesliga.

Guardiola noted that City would have preferred Echeverri to join Girona, a club within the City Football Group, and hinted at his dissatisfaction with the player’s current situation in Germany. He remarked, “Always, I would love that players play a lot of minutes; the intention is always there. We have an incredible appreciation for him as a football player. I am sure, pretty sure, his agent will know everything.”

When asked if Echeverri could potentially return to City in January, Guardiola responded, “It is a question for his beautiful agent.”