Manchester City Transfer News: Pep Guardiola Comments on Joe Hart Amid Exit Talk

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he can understand why supporters might be unhappy with his decision to replace Joe Hart, but he must make decisions and trust they are the right ones.

Per ESPN FC's Jonathan Smith, he said:

"

I'm here to take decisions—I make a lot of mistakes all my career as a coach—sometimes good decisions, sometimes bad. I can't deny what I feel. I was honest with Joe, the club and myself and that's what I always try to do. I would like if everyone was happy with all the decisions I take but that's impossible.

The coach has to take decisions which influence the players' lives and that's not easy. We have 28 players, so 17 players are always not playing. Do you think they are happy with the coach? They are not happy about that.

I can completely understand if the fans are not happy. Joe did a lot with this club in the years he's been, more than I have done—I've only been here for one month, he's been here many years.

I respect all of the guys here but I'm here and I have to take decisions and that's what I feel.

"

Guardiola revealed he is well aware of Hart's contributions to City over the last decade, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Per Smith, Hart had been dropped in favour of Willy Caballero in City's first three games of the season. His career at the Etihad Stadium looks to be at an end, with Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo reportedly set to head to Manchester as the new No. 1, per ESPN FC.

The Englishman played for City in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, keeping a clean sheet as the Sky Blues beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0 to secure their place in the group stage of the competition.

Afterwards, he appeared to post a "goodbye" to fans on Instagram:

Many City supporters had been vocally supportive of Hart during the opening weeks of the season, per the Times' Oliver Kay:

Hart appears to have lost his place following Guardiola's arrival because he lacks the range of passing the Spaniard requires even of his goalkeepers, whom he likes to engage in team moves from the back almost as if they were an outfield player.

As revealed by OptaJoe, the England international offered a case in his defence on Wednesday, though:

Nevertheless, it seems to be a case of too little, too late for the 29-year-old, with Bravo's £17 million move nearing completion, as noted by Smith.

Hart remains one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League, but he could be hampered by trying to move this late in the window—the only teams in the top flight that had a goalkeeping issue in real need of address this summer, Liverpool and Everton, have both brought in recruits already.

Indeed, per Sky Sports News HQ, Toffees boss Ronald Koeman confirmed he will not be pursuing Hart:

At this point, he may only be wanted at clubs where he can provide a significant upgrade on their current stopper. For example, he's much better than Swansea City's Lukasz Fabianski, West Bromwich Albion's Ben Foster or Heurelho Gomes of Watford.

However, with all the top contenders in England looking secure between the sticks, the only teams that satisfy that criteria may struggle to pay his wages.

Hart is too good a goalkeeper to sit on the bench this season, but he's running out of time.