Manchester City’s game against Steaua Bucharest last night was supposed to be a celebration of their progress to the Champions League group stage. However, it was overshadowed by the occasion of what was likely Joe Hart’s final game for the club.
The imminent arrival of FC Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo has in recent weeks thrown Joe Hart’s future at Manchester City into a considerable amount of doubt. However, if there was any takeaway from the Blues’ win over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday night, it was that Joe Hart has probably played his final game for Pep Guardiola’s side.
When the England international was surprisingly started and even named captain on the night for City, fans addressed the possibility of the Champions League qualifying encounter being the shot-stopper’s last mach for the 4-time Premier League winners.
Hart has been made captain for the night – either adds up to an #MCFC farewell or a remarkable reconciliation! Big reception from City fans
— Stuart Brennan (@StuBrennanMEN) August 24, 2016
Hart and Yaya Toure start for Man City. Could well be the farewell appearance for both..
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 24, 2016
Pablo Maffeo makes his competitive debut, Yaya Toure is recalled for the first time this season but could this be Joe Hart’s farewell game?
— City Watch (@City_Watch) August 24, 2016
Could be Hart and Yaya’s farewell games tonight. So strange to think about, end of an era.
— Harry (@VivaLaSergio) August 24, 2016
Joe Hart starts Manchester City’s match against Steaua Bucuresti. ? pic.twitter.com/JslFTuo63X
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) August 24, 2016
The fans ensured that they made it a night to remember for Joe Hart as they sang the 29-year-old’s name throughout the game.
Joe’s farewell. Emotional viewing.#mcfc pic.twitter.com/3tdyxNnvUO
— BlueMoonRisingTV (@BMRisingTV) August 24, 2016
Joe Hart: acknowledging the Etihad for the last time as an #MCFC player? (? @hirstclass) pic.twitter.com/jLkRaeDuYt
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) August 24, 2016
Lovely touch city fans singing for Joe hart. ???
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) August 24, 2016
Support for Joe Hart tonight. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/t1bGvUmyUF
— TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) August 24, 2016
No matter what happens you always be our number 1 #JoeHart #MCFC
— Mudriqah Shazahri (@mudskywalker) August 25, 2016
100% – Joe Hart completed all of his nine passes in the first half against Steaua Bucharest. Bravo. pic.twitter.com/kcphZRv6bn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2016
Desakan Fans Joe Hart Tak Ubah Gaya Koboi Guardiola https://t.co/dkjZ5MPDqH pic.twitter.com/qBz8XkKc15
— Yogi Novaro (@yoginovaro) August 25, 2016
The Bravo signing is a joke. Won’t affect the course of our season, and completely unnecessary. Pathetic Joe Hart is being subject to this.
— parker (@parkermoyle) August 25, 2016
Joe Hart himself followed up his on-field goodbyes with an emotional message on Instagram thanking the fans for their supports through his years at the club.
At the end of it all, discussions regarding his future only intensified as pundits and fans alike shared their opinion about his next possible destination with Everton, Sevilla and even Liverpool reportedly odds on to acquire the Englishman.
Was tonight a final farewell for Joe? ??
Joe Hart’s next club:
Everton – 4/7
Liverpool – 4/1
Sevilla – 4/1— Coral (@Coral) August 24, 2016
Lawro thinks #LFC should be looking at Joe Hart.
Where do you think Hart will end up?
? https://t.co/NI1sjtGRxI pic.twitter.com/3KnLXeH7xY
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) August 24, 2016
Joe Hart left in limbo as @Everton drop interest in him due to loan package being high & form of Stekelenberg https://t.co/6MYGozk2eA
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) August 22, 2016
Once a blue, always a blue. Hearing Joe Hart will become an Everton player by Wednesday. England number 1 needs game time #EFC #MCFC
— Agent Dave (@AgentDave_) August 24, 2016