Roberto Mancini has backed his former goalkeeper Joe Hart to make a positive impact in Serie A with Torino.
Together at Manchester City, Mancini and Hart won the 2011 FA Cup and the Premier League title a year later.
His former boss suggests Hart has always possessed the ability to learn and while he admits he was shocked that Pep Guardiola dispensed with the goalkeeper, Mancini says Hart is capable of turning things around in his favour at Torino.
The 29-year-old featured just once after Guardiola took charge at Man City this summer and on Wednesday completed a season-long loan move to Italy. According to Mancini, Hart can improve as a goalkeeper in his new surroundings.
“In spite of his age, he’s going to have the chance to grow further because our coaches here are very good. And then the experience is bound to help him do well,” said the former Inter Milan boss.
Guardiola’s decision to ostracise Hart came as a shock to Mancini but he feels the England goalkeeper has given himself every chance to prove the Spaniard wrong by making his move.
“I don’t know [why Guardiola demoted him],” Mancini told La Stampa.
“But each coach has his own ideas. He will have the chance to redeem himself at Torino.” It was under Mancini that Hart established himself as first-choice stopper at Man City after displacing Shay Given at the beginning of the 2010-11 campaign.
The Italian felt it was clear from the off that Hart had what was required to be a top goalkeeper. “It was our first game of the season in 2010 and his first game in the Premier League,” Mancini said.
“We were playing at Tottenham and it was anything but an exciting game. Joe saved us at least five times. He was still a lad, but I already knew he was going to become great. Thanks to him, that game ended 0-0.”
Hart could make his debut for Torino on September 11 when they visit Atalanta.
Torino are 2.63 to win the game, with the home side 2.70 and the draw is 3.10.
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