Joe Hart responds after Pep Guardiola mentioned him when speaking about his biggest regret at Man City

Joe Hart has been labelled "a brilliant human being" for his response to Pep Guardiola, who revealed this week that his biggest regret at Manchester City was not giving the goalkeeper a chance to prove himself.

Earlier this week, Guardiola spoke about the one regret he has kept "deep inside for many years".

For context, one of the Spaniard's first major decisions as Manchester City manager came in 2016, when he told Hart that he was surplus to requirements following a poor campaign with England at the Euros.

It is said Guardiola was unconvinced by Hart's distribution. He wanted a goalkeeper who could help build-up play and, after his 52.6% pass-completion rate the previous season, he was replaced by Claudio Bravo.

In fact, Hart's only appearance under Guardiola came in a Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest before he was loaned out to Italian side Torino.

The decision to offload Hart, a two-time Premier League winner with City, was certainly a controversial one but a decade later, Guardiola says he regrets his decision.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 55-year-old said: "I want to confess, I have regrets. When you take a lot of decisions, a lot, lot of decisions, you make mistakes."

He continued: "But there is one regret that I have deep inside for many years, that I didn't give a chance to Joe Hart to be with me to prove himself how good a keeper he was.

"I should have done, not because... all respect for Claudio, all respect for Ede who came in, they were important, but in that moment, I could have said, 'Okay Joe, let's try to do it together. If it doesn't work, okay, we'll change it'.

"But it happened. Life is sometimes... I have to take decisions and sometimes I'm not fair enough."

Joe Hart gives his take on Pep Guardiola's recent comments

Ahead of Manchester City's final game of the season against Aston Villa, Hart was on punditry duty when he was asked for his thoughts on Guardiola's comments in midweek.

"I didn't expect them first and foremost. It probably meant more to me than I expected," he said.

"I like Pep, I get on with Pep. We shook hands 10 years ago when he told me that I wasn't for him. He gave me his reasons. I gave my reasons why I thought I should be. And we agreed to disagree, but ultimately he holds the power.

"And look, he's done alright, hasn't he? You know, he's a superb manager. And I liked him before it, I still like him now. And like I say, we've crossed paths, we've worked together, we've conversed. But I felt like I was good enough, I felt like I was good enough to certainly be given a chance.

"But that is football, that is life. I don't hold grudges, I don't see a problem in it. You know, my world kept spinning, I've had some amazing opportunities and I've had an amazing career after that.

"I'm forever grateful for what I had at Manchester City. I was always asked, 'How do you feel about Man City?' I was like, 'What, for one bad moment? All the amazing moments that I've had at this club.'

"I appreciate him. I appreciate him as a man. He did what he did. He said what he said. But I look forward to shaking his hand and wishing him well today," added Hart.

Joe Hart on Pep's comment about regretting not giving him a chance at City:

“I don't hold grudges. I gave my reasons, he gave his and he's the one with power. I liked him before, I like him now.”

Love Joe, man. Brilliant human being. Proper blue. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/9Bs6qqZ8Pg

— Geronimo Morgans (@GeronimoMorgans) May 24, 2026

Fans praise Joe Hart for how he handled Pep Guardiola fallout

Many viewers were full of praise for Hart following his interview on the Etihad pitch.

One fan wrote: "Love Joe, man. Brilliant human being. Proper blue," and a second commented: "This is incredibly mature from Hart. Fair play. Rarely ever seen another professional act like this."

A third said: "It’s always telling when the people who have every right to hold grudges and be angry about situations somehow show resolve and respect. Those are the people who are the true legends."

A fourth wrote: "Always liked Joe Hart when he played for England, being humble and respectful are brilliant traits," and a fifth added: "No bitterness. No agenda. Just a man completely at peace with his story."