David Platt says that he and Roberto Mancini were planning to sign Asmir Begovic to replace Joe Hart before being sacked by Manchester City.

Former Manchester City assistant David Platt has claimed that Joe Hart would no longer be playing for the club had Roberto Mancini not been sacked as manager.

The England international has come in for more criticism following another mistake in today's 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City.

The Italian publicly criticised Hart on a few occasions during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, and Platt has revealed that plans to replace him were in the works.

"If Mancini and I were still at Man City this year, Joe Hart wouldn't be there," Platt told Al Jazeera. "We made a decision to sign Asmir Begovic."

Hart played in all of City's Premier League games last season, conceding 78 goals.