Joe Hart takes a dig at Pep Guardiola after admitting his potential Manchester City farewell brought a tear to his eye
Fans begged the City boss not to flog their England keeper with a series of heartfelt songs and banners.
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JOE HART choked back tears during an emotional farewell — and then had a dig at Pep Guardiola.
Fans begged the City boss not to flog their England keeper with a series of heartfelt songs and banners.
The Spaniard claims Hart’s suspect distribution is the reason he wants to offload him and bring in £17million Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo, who was at Wednesday’s game.
But after completing a perfect 16 out of 16 passes Hart, 29, said: “Wow. Pigs do fly!
“We all know there is a situation going on but I feel that inside and outside of all the circus, we’re handling it well. It’s a place I love to be, but situations occur in football and we’re men, we get on with it.
“We have got a top manager here and he is going to have his opinion on things. The situation is what it is.”
Hart was symbolically made captain for the Champions League qualifier in what is almost certain to be his last game for the club.
But fans were angry, singing, ‘Don’t sell Joe Hart, please don’t sell Joe Hart, we just don’t think you understand’ to Billy Ray Cyrus’ 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart.
They also sang a rendition of ‘Stand up if you love Joe Hart’ while one held a sign saying ‘always in our Harts’.
Hart, who pointed to the club badge and blew kisses to fans as he left the Etihad field, added: “It brings a lump to the throat. It’s a special place for me.”
Guardiola said: “I can completely understand if the fans are not happy.
“Joe did a lot with this club in the years he’s been here — more than I have done.
“I know he is a legend, one of the reasons the club is what it is.
“He helped make this team one step above, so I am so happy the players treat him like this and love him.
“I am here to take decisions. I can’t deny what I feel.
“I was honest with Joe and all the players.
“He knows when I arrived here my decision and what I think about that position.”
Asked about the deal to bring in Bravo, he added: “It’s almost there. He was here tonight.”