Pep Guardiola has departed English football.
After a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City, Guardiola has decided to leave his post, and his ‘biggest regret’ involved a Celtic hero.
Joe Hart was the number one goalkeeper at the Etihad when Guardiola arrived in 2016, but rather than giving the Englishman the chance, he booted him out and admitted that it was a mistake on his part.
But before Manchester City’s final game of the season on Sunday against Aston Villa, Hart was asked about that topic, and he provided a classy response, including how he went on to have an ‘amazing career after that’ at the champions of Scotland.
“I don’t hold grudges,” said Hart.
“I don’t see a problem with it. My world kept spinning. I have had some amazing opportunities. I had an amazing career after that. I am forever grateful for what I had at Manchester City.
“Appreciate him. Appreciate him as a man. He said what he said.”
- READ MORE: Bittersweet moment for Nicolas Kuhn after leaving Celtic for Como as they secure Champions League
Where does Joe Hart rank in the list of Celtic goalkeepers?
Celtic hero Joe Hart showcases his classy side after Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ‘regret’
Even though Hart’s career up until leaving Manchester City in 2018 was a huge success, he suffered many problems after that.
The initial road wasn’t straightforward because he failed to make his mark in Italy before sitting on the bench at Burnley and West Ham United.
That’s when Ange Postecoglou opened the Celtic door for Hart, and the rest is history.
It’s why the former England goalkeeper pointed towards his success at Celtic Park after leaving Manchester City following Guardiola’s comments.
“I didn’t expect them, first and foremost,” Hart told City TV after Guardiola admitted his ‘biggest regret’ was not giving the ex-keeper a chance. “It probably meant more to me than I expected. It meant more to me.
“I like Pep. I get on with Pep. Shook his hand ten years ago when he told that, ‘I wasn’t for him.’ Gave me his reasons. I gave my reasons why I thought I should be. We agreed to disagree, but ultimately, he holds the power.
“Look, he has done alright, hasn’t he?! He’s a superb manager. I liked him before it, and I still like him now. We have crossed paths, we have worked together, and we have conversated.
“But I felt like I was good enough. I felt like I was certainly good enough to be given a chance. But that is football, and that is life.
“I don’t hold grudges. I don’t see a problem with it. My world kept spinning. I have had some amazing opportunities. I had an amazing career after that. I am forever grateful for what I had at Manchester City.
“Appreciate him. Appreciate him as a man. He said what he said.”
Hart’s Celtic career in numbers
Remember, Hart joined Celtic after Rangers had stopped the ten and the Hoops were trying to get back on track with Postecoglou.
The rest is history, including that Treble-winning season under Postecoglou, as those in green and white showcased their power in Scotland with Hart in between the sticks.
- Hart’s games: 153
- Goals conceded: 145
- Clean sheets: 64
- Trophies: 7
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
