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Pep Guardiola's decision to ditch Joe Hart was prompted by the emergence of young keeper Angus Gunn at Manchester City.

Guardiola was determined to bring in a new No.1 from the moment he arrived at the Etihad in July.

And Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal the Spaniard’s resolve was strengthened when he saw 20-year-old Gunn during City’s pre-season preparations.

Guardiola , keen to promote the keeper-sweeper who is able to start attacks with accurate distribution, was impressed by the youngster’s confidence with the ball at his feet.

Gunn played in Guardiola’s first game – a 1-0 defeat at former club Bayern Munich – as well as the penalty shoot-out win over Borussia Dortmund.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters) (Image: Julian Finney)

Chilean international Claudio Bravo is due to make his debut in Saturday’s Manchester derby after being signed from Barcelona for £17million.

Gunn will spend the season as back-up for Bravo and No.2 Willy Caballero , but the City boss has told his backroom staff that he will have no hesitation in calling on the son of former Norwich and Scotland keeper Bryan Gunn if he needs to.

A City insider said: “There have been high hopes for Gunn since he joined the club and Pep was very impressed with him when he first came to the club.

(Image: GETTY)

“Angus has all the qualities you’d associate with a top keeper – but he is also excellent when he’s in possession of the ball. Pep liked that and is keen to promote the lad.”

The ruthlessness with which Guardiola ruled that Hart had no future at City sent shockwaves through the club.

The England keeper has joined Serie A club Torino on loan for the season – but has already been told there is no way back for him at City.

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But the future is bright for Gunn, who been at City since 2011 and has just won a call-up to England’s Under-21 squad.

The plan is to ease him in next season as a back-up to Bravo once Caballero’s contract has expired.

And that really would spell curtains for Hart at the Etihad.