Manchester City news: Former boss Roberto Mancini cannot understand why Pep Guardiola loaned out Joe Hart

Mancini worked with the England international throughout his four years at the Etihad stadium during which Hart won the Golden Glove award three seasons on the bounce

Joe Hart faces a new chapter in his career (Getty)

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted he does not know why Pep Guardiola has permitted Joe Hart to join Torino on loan.

Mancini worked with the England international throughout his four years at the Etihad stadium during which Hart won the Golden Glove award three seasons on the bounce.

Hart was initially given the chance to redeem himself at City following a disastrous summer in France, but new coach Pep Guardiola eventually decided that the 29-year-old was surplus to requirements at the club.

Claudio Bravo will instead serve as City’s number one choice between the sticks, but Mancini has suggested the Spaniard was wrong to lose faith in Hart.

“I do not know why he has done it but every tactician has his own ideas,” Mancini said.

“Urbano Cairo [Torino’s chairman] has completed a great signing and has secured a reliable goalkeeper.

“Despite his age, I still believe that Hart can keep improving, especially because the coaches over here are very good. His experience will definitely help him.”

Speaking about the transfer himelf, president Cairo said that the transfer “makes us proud, and demonstrates our willingness to build a more competitive team … It’s not only his talent – Hart also brings with him humility and enthusiasm.”

A young Joe Hart back in 2010 (Getty)

Now 29, Hart joined City as a teenager in 2006, making the move from Shrewsbury Town.

It was reported at the time that City were to pay an initial £600,000 for the Englishman, rising to £1.5m if undisclosed clauses were achieved, but John Wardle, then City chairman, revealed in 2012 that the transfer fee was actually £100,000.

The goalkeeper was loaned out to Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool and Birmingham city for four years after signing before returning in 2010 to cement a starting position in City’s first-team.