Pep Guardiola will allow Joe Hart to leave Manchester City

Joe Hart, centre, sits on Manchester City’s bench during their Champions League qualifying match away to Steaua Bucharest in midweek.

Pep Guardiola has said he will allow Joe Hart to go on loan or leave Manchester City permanently should the goalkeeper ask to do so. 

Hart was omitted for City’s first two competitive matches and it is known that Guardiola wants to sign Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo to be his new No1.

Pep Guardiola

The 29-year-old England goalkeeper is considering his options and, as the manager prepares for City’s visit to Stoke on Saturday, Guardiola was asked if Hart can leave or sign a temporary deal if this was requested.

“Of course. I don’t want players who are unhappy,” the City manager said before stating he has been honest about Hart’s prospects.

 “I spoke with Joe the first moment we met in China [on the pre-season tour], I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a keeper. He’s valuable.


“Until 31st [August], everything is open – If Joe is still here, he will fight for his place.”

uardiola said that Ilkay Gündogan and Leroy Sané had their first full training sessions on Friday after injury, while Vincent Kompany has begun non-contact work as he tries to fight back from a thigh injury.

Speaking about Sane, a £37m purchase from Schalke at the start of the month, Guardiola said: “Leroy made his first part of the training session, he still has a little muscular problem but in 1-2 weeks when we’re back from the national team break, he’ll be ready.”

Bacary Sagna, meanwhile, should soon be back in action. Guardiola said: “Bacary has a little, little problem but it’s nothing big. That’s why he didn’t start in Bucharest, we don’t want to take a risk.”

Hart is not the only high-profile figure at City finding himself out in the cold. Yaya Touré has also yet to feature under Guardiola and was not even included in the match-day squad for the victories over Sunderland and Steaua Bucharest.

Given Guardiola sold Touré at Barcelona, it was felt that the Ivorian would not have a future at City. Guardiola is adamant, however, that he is part of his plans. “Yaya is trying very well, he loves football.

I spoke with him about his situation, he’s a player with huge quality and I’m really glad that his agent said I’m a good coach – thank you, Dimitri [Seluk].

“I have adulation and respect for Yaya’s quality when he increases his intensity without the ball, he will be involved.”