City have as good as secured their place in tomorrow’s draw for the Champions League group stages after cruising to a 5-0 first-leg victory over Steaua in Romania last week.
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The 29-year-old has been informed that he has no place in Guardiola’s plans after being demoted to the bench for both of City’s opening Premier League matches while also missing out on a starting berth for the Champions League play-off with Steaua Bucharest.
Bravo flew in to Manchester from Barcelona yesterday to complete his reported 17 million pounds (US$22 million) transfer from the Spanish club, a move that will see Hart, England’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper during this year’s European Championships, relegated to third choice at the Eastlands.
“Joe is still a player for us”, the coach told BT Sport. Outside all the charades and all the rubbish that’s talked, we’ll find a solution.
When asked about Hart’s popularity with the fans, Guardiola replied: “I don’t know. It is what it is”.
But the home fans had other preoccupations and after a chant of “Stand up if you love Joe Hart!” had drawn nearly everyone in the ground to their feet, his first save, from Adrian Popa, prompted a huge cheer.
“He will make good things happen for us and for the England national team, I’m pretty sure of that”, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added.
‘I’ve had a lot of good nights in football but that was a really nice night. I was honest with Joe, the club and all the players in the squad.
“I have to take decisions and I can’t deny what I feel”.
“I know he is a legend for this club”. I have a lot of respect for the opponent and I know what happens in football. He helped to make this team one step above.
“I’m very happy to sign a new contract”.
Guardiola was not taxed by the game itself.
The Argentinian scored twice in City’s 4-1 win against Stoke City on Saturday to take his season’s tally to six goals in all competitions.
While City made it four wins from four games for Guardiola, the Spaniard wasn’t entirely happy with his side’s performance despite resting the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.
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“He (Iheanacho) is always ready”, Guardiola said. The players and the club deserve it.
