Guardiola says decision to sell ‘incredible’ Hart is one he may yet regret
PEP GUARDIOLA admits Joe Hart could make him live to regret the decision to allow him to leave Manchester City.
Former City goalkeeper Hart (right) returns to City with new club Burnley today.
Hart won five major trophies at City, including two Premier League titles, before falling out of favour after the arrival of Guardiola as manager in 2016.
The 31-year-old spent two seasons out on loan at Torino and West Ham before joining the Clarets in a £3.5million permanent deal last summer.
Guardiola said: “I know how tough it was for the fans, for the people. He was an incredible keeper and had incredible results here in the club. That’s why it was not easy for me, to take a decision.
“I’m not always taking decisions that are right. I have made in my career good decisions and very bad decisions, but you have to take it in the right moment and at the right time. Sometimes I took it and afterwards I’ve regretted. That’s what it is – that happens.”
Hart joined City from home-town club Shrewsbury in 2006 and established himself as first choice in the 201011 campaign, after being loaned to Birmingham the previous year.
His sudden displacement from the side in 2016, first by Claudio Bravo and then Ederson, meant that the club were unable to pay proper tribute to the player for his services at the time.
The champions have addressed that this week with the naming of the goalkeeper training pitch at the City Football Academy after him along with the unveiling of a mosaic bearing his image. Hart was invited to a special opening ceremony on Thursday and a further presentation will be made today.
Guardiola said: “I think there is no doubt how important he was and is. Tomorrow you will see how people appreciate what he has done for this club.”
Pedigree
Despite Hart’s pedigree, Guardiola felt Hart was unsuited to his style of play, which places emphasis on goalkeepers playing out with their feet.
Guardiola was impressed by Hart’s professionalism during the period in which he was out of the side.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “Normally the player thinks of himself, himself, himself – it’s not easy – but he put himself a little bit in my position and said he understood perfectly. That’s why I appreciate a lot his behaviour.”
Hart, who made 348 City appearances, said the pitch renaming was a “huge honour”. He added: “Manchester City has been a huge part of my life and my career, and I’m immensely proud of what I and my team-mates achieved in that period.
“There have been some incredible goalkeeping legends throughout Manchester City’s history, and I feel privileged that the club has chosen to recognise me amongst that number.”
After struggling for form at West Ham last season, Hart has enjoyed a revival in form at Turf Moor and his Burnley manager Sean Dyche said he will have nothing to prove to Guardiola.
“I think to be fair, if you take away the noise I don’t think there’s ever been any real problem with him, the manager or the club,” said Dyche. “I didn’t bring him (to Burnley) to prove a point to anyone. In my opinion he’s another top-class goalkeeper that we’ve got here. Another one. I don’t want to speak for him but I don’t see why he’s got any point to prove -other than to himself. To continue to show what a top-class ’keeper he is.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, said, “Yes, the club are working on it” when asked if new contract negotiations had begun with winger Leroy Sane.
The 22-year-old German has two-and-ahalf years remaining on his present deal.
Guardiola added: “(It is) not ( just) for the recent performances. We value the quality of the player, the human being, how settled he is.”