Manchester City have had plenty of success over the past 13 years and, even though there has been the occasional lean season, they’ve dominated the Premier League for the most part.
It wasn’t that long ago that Manchester City were merely hopefuls to the game’s biggest trophies and you only have to look back at the start of the century to see a side that was yo-yoing across the divisions.
Joe Hart is one of the few players who joined City before they embarked on their incredible journey and proved to be a big part of it.
Hart played under a number of managers at the Etihad Stadium and, earlier this year, he revealed who he felt was the “most intense” head coach he worked with.
Joe Hart says Roberto Mancini is the most intense manager he’s ever worked with
Hart took part in an interview with Mikael Silvestre on beIN Sports, where he discussed his career.
One question Hart was asked was which manager he enjoyed playing for the most, and he named Roberto Mancini.
“I think, under the Mancini era, we broke down a lot of doors, we won some really big games,” said Hart.
“Coaching wise, he was very very intense, like super intense, even to the point of (when) it kind of crumbled, but that’s life.
“I think at that high level you see many many managers, they don’t last longer than two, three years, even when they do well because it’s just too much.
“The stories of Sir Alex Ferguson and people like that are a thing of the past, almost, now.
“I did enjoy the intensity that we played, I enjoyed what he demanded, a lot of it was unrealistic if we look at it!
“Even when we did well, he wanted more, but I think for us to go to the level and set new standards, I give him credit for that.”
Roberto Mancini’s time at Manchester City
Mancini joined City in 2009 after a year out of the game, and he came with considerable pedigree, having won Serie A titles with Inter Milan, plus Coppa Italia trophies with Inter, Lazio and Fiorentina.
In 2011, Mancini guided City to their first major trophy in 35 years, winning the FA Cup in his first full season as manager.
The following season, he led the Citizens to their first Premier League title, ending a 44-year wait for a top-flight championship in the most dramatic of ways.
Mancini was sacked as City manager in 2013, two days after City’s loss to Wigan in the FA Cup Final.
