HART: PEP IS THE PAST, IT’S BILIC I NEED TO IMPRESS
JOE HART has taken a swipe at Pep Guardiola by claiming the only club boss’ opinion he cares about is that of West Ham’s Slaven Bilic.
The England keeper cannot wait to get started after sealing a loan switch from Manchester City to the Irons – and insists he has nothing to prove to Etihad chief Guardiola.
“I’m trying to make a point to Slaven Bilic – he’s my coach,” said Hart. “And to make my point to Gareth Southgate, the England boss.
“They are the people whose opinions I really care about.
“City? I don’t think about that. I am a West Ham player now – that’s all I think about.
“The other side of it is quite
political – with contracts – and I respect that. And I respect my parent club, but all I care about right now is West Ham.”
Hart was dumped by Guardiola (right) last season when he took over at the Etihad – and he was shipped out on loan to Italian club Torino.
City signed Claudio Bravo for £17million from Barcelona and, after a succession of clangers, he was dropped.
Guardiola has since splashed out another £35m to bring in Brazilian keeper Ederson from Benfica.
“That’s their problem,” said Hart. “I need to look after myself. I need to be selfish in this situation.
“My feelings for City will never change. I’m eternally grateful to them as a football club. They took me as a 19-year-old from Shrewsbury Town, took something of a punt on me. And I have had some fantastic times there.
“The fans have been so supportive of me, even in the last year. There is no point in me taking it too personally, as it’s just football.”
Did he feel Guardiola had given him a fair chance?
Hart replied: “That is gone. I am not part of that club at the moment.”
Ironically, his Irons debut will be back in Manchester today, at Old Trafford, and he is anticipating a hot reception, reserved for City players past and present.
Hart added: “I want to go up there and win, whatever side of Manchester it is or whatever side of the country it is.” Hart has been joined at the Hammers by two other Premier League title winners in Pablo Zabaleta, his old City team-mate, and Javier Hernandez, formerly with United. “Javier, he is a global brand,” said Hart. “He is a huge player. He was almost iconic at United. Pablo and I are like brothers. He came to City when we hadn’t won anything. He cost £6m, and, if you look today, that was a great deal.” Hart is also focused on keeping his gloves firmly on the England No.1 shirt. He added: “I have always said the standard of keepers in England is high. There are some great keepers and I don’t think that will change. But I want to stay England No.1.”