Manchester City: Why you shouldn't feel sorry for Joe Hart

Manchester City’s long server number 1 Joe Hart appears to be forced out the door this summer. The media are having a field day, but we look at why his treatment isn’t as harsh as they want you to think.

Many famous, often witty, quotes are attributed to late 19^th Century author Mark Twain and equally as many were probably not penned by him (he’s not presently available to confirm) but there are a few we know for a fact were his alone. Among the most prominent was that timeless jab at the media and subtle-as-Rambo implications for those who buy into it too much when he said “if you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re mis-informed.”

Imagine what Twain would have to say if he could see today’s world of unchecked postulating and click-baiting from the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Mirror and their ilk. Is dis-informed a word? If not, it should be.

Take the example of soon-to-be-former Manchester City number 1 Joe Hart, who, circumstances have contrived to create the perfect storm of drama and emotions that will tug on both your heart-strings and purse strings simultaneously. Hart is of course, an establishment at City. A source of pride given his undisputed, until now at least, position between the sticks for England. An iron wall who has established himself a shot-stopping force for the Blues and earned a place in club and supporter legend for generations.

More from Manchester City

Then Pep Guardiola happened. The best manager in the world they call him, but a blow-in to the Etihad, who comes on the scene and suddenly old Joe isn’t good enough anymore. Forget his poor performance in the Euros, this is a clear case of establishment bullying of a fan favourite player and worthy of endless pages of sympathetic tosh emblazoned with such clichéd nonsense as “Broken Hart”

Pep dropping Hart in favour of number Manchester City 2 keeper Willy Caballero, and ultimately seeking to replace him with incoming Chilean international and Barcelona ace Claudio Bravo, isn’t simply a professional decision, it’s personal. Who can say for sure if there’s any truth to such stories, but one thing is for certain, we shouldn’t be shedding any tears over Joe Hart.

Now, before you get the torches and pitchforks, let me just say I like Hart and appreciate his service to club and country, but let’s step back a minute. Pep didn’t come into City to pick a fight with its legends, it’s not his style. Sure, he has a history of shedding big-name talent that either didn’t impress or had undesirable attitude issues, see Zlatan Ibrahimovic potentially on both counts, but every player is given a chance to impress and win their spot on the park.

The issues with Hart appear also to mirror the twofold issues which saw Pep and his clubs move on from other superstars in the past. First, his game doesn’t suit Guardiola football. This is unfortunate, but Joe simply doesn’t have the passing acumen or skills with his feet to play out reliably from the back. The upshot is that a cog in the works of the Pep tiki taka machine is missing and it threatens the whole system.

It’s arguable too whether Willy can actually handle this style of play, having yet to complete a 90 minute spell without giving up possession via poor distribution. At least he’s trying though. Joe hasn’t given any indication he’s willing to do what his manager says and wants. This was all too evident in the second half of the pre-season friendly against Arsenal, when Hart hoofed the ball unceremonious into touch within the first ten seconds and refused the short pass to his defenders every time. Following the game, many noted a frosty reception by Pep and doubtless that will be due to his insubordination.

More from Playing for 90

Insubordination is a bit of a strong word, but if you were on the kind of wages that Joe is on and you point-blank refuse to follow instruction, then you’re putting yourself on the chopping block with your own two hands. Further, it’s hard to argue that Joe hasn’t had time to adapt, given Pep’s requirements are common, public knowledge and his imminent arrival has been known of since February. Indeed, many reports indicated Hart has been wary of Guardiola’s arrival since early Spring, for these exact reasons.

Beyond the footballing issues, there’s the personal. BBC Radio Manchester pundit and Manchester City insider Ian Cheeseman reported that, ultimately, Hart is being move on due to undesirable aspects of his personality and dressing room conduct. Whether that is true or not, and one certainly wonders why Cheeseman would make it up, it certainly has been witnessed before that Joe is far from unwilling to challenge authority. Just ask Roberto Mancini.

The bottom line however, is Joe is out. Yes, for Citizens, it’s a sad development. Make no mistake though, it’s not nearly the great personal tragedy that the media want to make it out to be. Joe leaves Manchester City a rich man, in money and support. His legacy will thrive at the Etihad and Blues will always appreciate what he’s done for the club. That such a mellow-dramatic spectacle has been made out of the whole thing seeks to detract from that, but we shouldn’t buy it. It’s simply time for Joe to move on. We should too.

Home/Manchester City

Manchester City: Why you shouldn’t feel sorry for Joe Hart

By Stephen Little | Aug 24, 2016

Manchester City’s long server number 1 Joe Hart appears to be forced out the door this summer. The media are having a field day, but we look at why his treatment isn’t as harsh as they want you to think.

More from Playing for 90