'We were trying to change the game. Some people didn't like it' - the downs and ups of Pep Guardiola's 'worst signing' at Man City

It's easy to look back now with Blue-tinted glasses the ease in which Pep Guardiola transformed English football as soon as he arrived at Manchester City.

In reality, to spark the 14-trophy run of the last six years, Guardiola had to set the foundations in a difficult first season, with City finishing 15 points adrift of champions Chelsea in third. Without that season, though, City wouldn't have become centurions a year later, beginning a journey that ended in the Champions League trophy in June of this year.

Despite all the fanfare of Guardiola's arrival at the Etihad, it's tempting to forget that fans were openly criticising his selection in his first competitive home game over his treatment of club legend and firm fan favourite Joe Hart.

It was a battle that Guardiola stuck his heels in and won, with history justifying the decision to seek a ball-playing goalkeeper to start his attacks. Before Ederson completely reinvented the role of goalkeeper, though, there was the very curious City career of Claudio Bravo.

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After Guardiola had told Hart that he wanted a different style of goalkeeper, Willy Caballero started City's first game of the season, before Hart was recalled at home in what was clearly a farewell.

“I think Willy made a good pre-season – really, really good," said Guardiola. "He gave me today a lot of confidence for his build-up play, for his personality and that's why I choose him."

Regarding Hart, the manager said: “I have to take a decision and I cannot deny what I feel. If the fans are not happy I can completely understand. I would like all my decision to make everyone