Vincent Kompany, a former manager of Manchester City and the current head coach of Burnley, has said that he believes Joe Hart was the "best character" he met while playing at the Etihad.
The Belgian spent 11 years in the blue half of Manchester and witnessed many players come and go during that time, but it is obvious that both he and the majority of City supporters still have great sentiments for Hart. The goalie, who is currently at Celtic, joined City as a youth and spent 12 years there before moving on. During that time, he won two Premier League championships.
But circumstances for Hart changed when Pep Guardiola was named City's manager in the summer of 2016. The new manager was looking for a more contemporary goalkeeper—one who can be deployed as the first line of attack and is at ease with the ball at their feet.
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Hart didn't have this kind of arsenal; instead, the former England number one was known for more conventional skills like shot-stopping and command of his surroundings.
As a result, Hart was loaned out to Torino during the 2016–17 season, and the season before that, he went on another loan to West Ham.
When Hart signed a two-year contract with Burnley, the team that Kompany would later take over as manager, his 12-year relationship with City came to an official end in the summer of 2018.
The current Clarets manager had nothing but positive things to say about his former teammate and acknowledged that it was unfortunate that he was banished due to the expectations placed on goalkeepers in the new era of game-changing.
Joe Hart was the finest personality for the team, Kompany said in a statement to the Overlap. I observed his growth; he transitioned from the dressing room clown to the motivator and source of positive energy.
"I don't think people remember how big it was in those first two titles we had, and in those first years where Manchester City were doing well. He was unbelievable – he was unlucky that the game changed, right at the moment where he was going into his prime."
The four-time Premier League champion also reflected on his favorite goal while playing for City. Kompany's walk down memory lane didn't end with Hart.
He added: "[My favourite goal was] against Manchester United [in April 2012]. It meant so much more. The other goal [against Leicester ] that went top corner, I'm telling my players not to shoot from there! It was nice, everything landed the way it was supposed to.
"It was my last game at the Etihad. I remember after the game, I saw the chairman, and he was the first person I told."
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