LETTING go is never easy, especially for a goalkeeper.
But Joe Hart must walk away from Manchester City now before he jeopardises his international career.
Hart’s failures as a goalie were highlighted at Euro 2016.
His adrenaline levels were high, his positioning was poor and his wrists were weak.
Ultimately – as he has admitted himself – he cost England their place in France.
But for new City boss Pep Guardiola, Hart’s mistakes at the European Championships didn’t make any difference.
His mind was already made up. Joe was never going to be his No. 1.
The vibes were there before Pep even arrived at the Etihad. There were rumours leaking out that he didn’t fancy City’s long-time keeper.
Never mind the handling gaffes that have plagued Joe in spells over his entire career. The real problem was his lack of ability with the ball at his feet.
An insider at City has told me the board started off saying yes to everything their new manager asked for – no questions asked.
But when Guardiola asked to get his own goalie in, they couldn’t believe it. They were absolutely stunned that he wanted Hart out.
Even so, they have given Pep his wish, and that says it all.
Being honest, I feel sorry for Joe. I’ve been there myself.
I had been at Manchester United for two years when, one day, completely out of the blue, Ron Atkinson pulled me out of a reserve game and told me I wasn’t wanted.
“You’re going to Coventry,” he said. Simple as that.
I was so angry with him that I thought: “Fine, stuff it. I’m not staying here.”
I wasn’t worried about money, I wasn’t worried about losing face, I just wanted to go and play somewhere else.
I think Joe has got to take that attitude.
He has to say: “Right, I’m England’s No.1, and if I want it to stay that way I’m going to have to play regularly.”
Joe is nearly 30, he’s had a great career, and he’s a very rich man.
You don’t get to that point in a career without a wee bit of comfort setting in.
But he has to accept his time at City is up, then go and prove them wrong somewhere else.
There have been rumours about an attitude problem, that he’s a wee bit big for his boots.
That wouldn’t be unusual for a professional footballer of his age but I honestly haven’t heard any seriously bad stories about the guy.
He gets stick for the shampoo advert he did, but for me, that’s not fair. He hasn’t done anything out of order there.
Plenty of players do things like that, including guys from the club that looks to be Joe’s most likely destination.
Liverpool don’t have the financial strength of Manchester City and, of late, they haven’t enjoyed the same success.
However, they are a club of serious, serious pedigree, a perfect fit for a guy keen to prove he’s still got what it takes to play at the very top.
He may have dropped a few balls along the way, but he still holds his future in his hands.
All Joe has to do now is show some heart – and prove he’s still head and shoulders above the competition.
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