MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Joe Hart of Manchester City acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League Play-off Second Leg match between Manchester City and Steaua Bucharest at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2016 in Manchester, England.
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The 29-year-old England worldwide was visibly moved by the gesture and patted the crest on his shirt on response, as he kept a clean sheet to remind Guardiola of his worth. It was a special night for us, and it was also a really nice night for me.
“We all know there is a situation going on but I feel that outside of all the circus, we are handling it well as a good team with a good management staff, and I enjoyed tonight”. He helped to make this team one step above so I’m so happy with the way the people treated him tonight. “It is a place I love to be, but situations occur in football”. We’re men and we get on with it.
We’ve got a top manager that the club’s wanted for a long, long time and he’s going to have his opinion on things.
“Until the 31st of this month, all the players here are our players and I work with them like there is no end. The situation is what it is”.
But City fans hailed Hart as “City’s No.1” and urged Guardiola not to let the keeper go with a series of supportive chants from the stands.
The Spaniard said: “Joe is still a player of us”.
“I know he’s a legend for this club”. Guardiola doesn’t think Hart is good enough with his feet, has told the England worldwide he can leave, and has played Willy Caballero ahead of Hart so far this season.
He continued: “I am here to take decisions”. I make a lot of mistakes in my career, but I try to be honest and I can’t deny what I feel. I’m really happy that Fabian scored and he’s won us a game in the Champions League.
He said: “I have an excellent relationship with Joe”.
Frozen out by new Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, Hart is looking for a move away from the Etihad after falling behind Willy Caballero and the incoming Claudio Bravo in the pecking order – due to the Argentine’s higher comfort with the ball at his feet. It was 5-0 in the first leg but they sat behind the ball and made it hard and tried to counter on our mistakes.
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City lost striker Kelechi Iheanacho to injury in the second half, but the game was overshadowed by Hart’s appearance in goal and emotional scenes after the final whistle when he grabbed the badge on his jersey and saluted the crowd.
