Joe Hart

Hart's exit caused by rise of young Manchester City keeper

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Joe Hart’s recent exit from Manchester City is due to the emergence of promising academy star Angus Gunn.

According to reports, the England U21’s star, Angus Gunn, greatly impresses Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

Fan favourite Joe Hart brought his decade-long City career to a close this summer with a much-publicised loan move to Italian’s Torino.

A seeming reluctance to play the role of “sweeper-keeper” and a string of errors at Euro 2016 saw the England No.1 being dropped by Guardiola.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: A dejected Joe Hart of Manchester City walks off after warming up during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Hart’s future away from the club was cemented further with the £15.4 million acquisition of Chilean shot-stopper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.

The 33-year-old will be City’s undisputed first choice for the coming season. However, Guardiola is eager to fast-track Angus Gunn into the first team setup.

The 20-year-old is said to have struck Guardiola as the ideal “sweeper-keeper” during preseason training. Gunn is the son of former Norwich City and Scotland legend Bryan Gunn.

SHENZHEN, CHINA – JULY 28: Angus Gunn of Manchester City reacts during the 2016 International Champions Cup match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund at Shenzhen Universiade Stadium on July 28, 2016 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

The 20-year-old will take his place as backup to Bravo and Argentine Willy Caballero in 2016-17. However, the youngster will still continue to play for the club’s academy.

The England U21’s man has taken well to Guardiola’s preferred style of goalkeeper play. Pep’s iconic “sweeper-keeper” is responsible for starting attacks and must be confident with the ball at their feet.

With Caballero’s contract up next summer and no renewal on the horizon, Gunn could soon find himself contesting the No.1 jersey with veteran Bravo.

Manchester City also had a buy-back clause inserted into the sale of Geronimo Rulli to Real Sociedad this summer.

There are big hopes for Gunn, and the 20-year-old has a bright future, both at club and international level.

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