Quique Sanchez Flores has apologised to Espanyol supporters for the way he embraced Lionel Messi after his side's 4-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Catalan derby on Sunday.
The Espanyol coach approached Messi on the Camp Nou pitch at full-time to ask for his shirt for his son and was then full of praise for the Barca star when asked about what he'd said to him in a news conference.
However, his actions and the comments which followed upset some Espanyol fans, who felt such behaviour was inappropriate considering the two clubs are rivals in the same city.
"I didn't intend to create any sort of negativity," Sanchez Flores said in a news conference on Wednesday ahead of his side's Copa del Rey game against Alcorcon.
"If that has been the case, that I've caused disappointment for Espanyol fans, then I apologise because it was not what I intended.
"I have been dedicated to the Espanyol cause since my first day here and I'm grateful for all the support I have received from the supporters. Our objective is to make all the fans happy.
"I feel frustrated at having generated this uncomfortable feeling among the fans. I'm genuinely really sorry."
Sanchez Flores, who took over at Espanyol last summer after leaving English side Watford, explained that his actions on the final whistle were no different to any other game.
The difference this time, though, was that it came at the end of a derby in which his side had been comfortably beaten, bringing to an end a nine-game unbeaten run in La Liga.
"What I did [with Messi] I did in every game in the Premier League last season and I've also done in all the games we've played in La Liga until now, regardless of who the opposition has been," he added.
"I've tried to represent Espanyol as best as I possibly can and I hope our fans are proud of how we represent them. If I have hurt any of them, then I beg for their forgiveness."
After claiming Messi "could score a hat trick in every game" on Sunday, Sanchez Flores was asked what he'd said to the Argentina international.
"I congratulated Leo for his humility," he said. "He doesn't complain, throw himself to the ground or say anything. It's impressive and there are good feelings between us.
"I don't know how many of his shirts I have now. My son is a Barca fan and always asks me for Leo's shirt."