Joe Hart says Manchester City players love playing for
Manuel Pellegrini after they secured a 1-0 win over
Sunderland a day after his impending departure was
announced by the club.
On Monday, City confirmed Bayern Munich boss Pep
Guardiola would replace Pellegrini as manager from next
season.
Hart did not feel the announcement compromised the team
in their victory over Sunderland on Tuesday, insisting the
players will continue to give their all for the Chilean, who he
says the squad has the utmost respect for.
"Yesterday's news was never going to be a distraction," Hart
told BBC Sport .
"We're here to win titles and Manuel's here to win titles. We
back him all the way and we love him as our manager. We
appreciate we've got a job to do, next season is next
season."
Hart made important saves from Jermain Defoe and Billy
Jones in either half, and he felt City's dogged defending
displayed their commitment to Pellegrini.
"There were a couple of good saves but some fantastic
defending at the end when their new lad [Wahbi Khazri]
whipped in some dangerous balls," he added.
"The boys put their bodies on the line for each other and for
the manager – we are one and we are going to keep on
fighting."
Pellegrini felt his team looked lethargic during their third
game in seven days but was pleased by keeping pace with
leaders Leicester City, who beat Liverpool 2-0.
"It was a tough game. This is a team who are fighting
relegation. They will play every game like a final," he said.
"It is not our style to play with nine defenders but it was our
third game in a week and it was impossible to have a high
pace with all our injuries. It was better to defend well and
concentrate.
"It is an important three points and now we have to play
Leicester at home and they are still the leaders."
Pellegrini will assess the fitness of Jesus Navas, who was
substituted with an apparent hamstring injury 14 minutes
from time.
The Spain international would join fellow attacking
midfielders Kevin De Bruyne (knee) and Samir Nasri
(hamstring) in missing the Leicester match.
Manuel Pellegrini after they secured a 1-0 win over
Sunderland a day after his impending departure was
announced by the club.
On Monday, City confirmed Bayern Munich boss Pep
Guardiola would replace Pellegrini as manager from next
season.
in their victory over Sunderland on Tuesday, insisting the
players will continue to give their all for the Chilean, who he
says the squad has the utmost respect for.
"Yesterday's news was never going to be a distraction," Hart
told BBC Sport .
"We're here to win titles and Manuel's here to win titles. We
back him all the way and we love him as our manager. We
appreciate we've got a job to do, next season is next
season."
Hart made important saves from Jermain Defoe and Billy
Jones in either half, and he felt City's dogged defending
displayed their commitment to Pellegrini.
"There were a couple of good saves but some fantastic
defending at the end when their new lad [Wahbi Khazri]
whipped in some dangerous balls," he added.
"The boys put their bodies on the line for each other and for
the manager – we are one and we are going to keep on
fighting."
Pellegrini felt his team looked lethargic during their third
game in seven days but was pleased by keeping pace with
leaders Leicester City, who beat Liverpool 2-0.
"It was a tough game. This is a team who are fighting
relegation. They will play every game like a final," he said.
"It is not our style to play with nine defenders but it was our
third game in a week and it was impossible to have a high
pace with all our injuries. It was better to defend well and
concentrate.
"It is an important three points and now we have to play
Leicester at home and they are still the leaders."
Pellegrini will assess the fitness of Jesus Navas, who was
substituted with an apparent hamstring injury 14 minutes
from time.
The Spain international would join fellow attacking
midfielders Kevin De Bruyne (knee) and Samir Nasri
(hamstring) in missing the Leicester match.
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