Soccer

Pep Guardiola will allow Joe Hart to leave Manchester City

‘Until 31st [August], everything is open - If Joe is still here, he will fight for his place’

Pep Guardiola has said goalkeeper Joe Hart is free to leave Manchester City. Photograph: Reuters
Pep Guardiola has said goalkeeper Joe Hart is free to leave Manchester City. Photograph: Reuters
Jamie Jackson
Fri Aug 19 2016 - 14:36

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.

The manager has dropped Hart from his first two matches and the 29-year-old is considering his options. Ahead of City's visit to Stoke on Saturday, and with it known that he wants to sign Barcelona's Claudio Bravo to be his new No1, 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 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.‚“

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Guardiola also stated that Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane had their first full training sessions on Friday following their respective injuries, while Vincent Kompany has begun non-contact work as he tries to fight back from a leg problem.

(Guardian service)