Stuart Pearce is expected to be named as West Ham United’s new assistant manager.
Hart joined West Ham in the summer transfer window, as the England international looked to prove that he still had the capabilities to be a star in the Premier League.
However, the move to the London Stadium has not worked out as hoped so far.
Hart has put in some shaky displays since joining West Ham, with the Manchester City loanee still seemingly searching for his best form.
Pearce appears to think that Hart’s nervy displays come as a result of a lack of faith in his own ability.
And if Pearce does take the assistant manager’s job at West Ham, as expected, then one of his first tasks may well be to try and restore Hart’s fragile confidence.
“He’s under a bit of pressure, but he’s got to rise to that challenge,” Pearce said last month. “It surprises me that, at the age he’s at, he’s got 70-odd caps. He should be the stand-alone goalkeeper, like how we look at Buffon playing for Italy; you think there’s no challengers, you’re there, you’ve got everything, you’re composed. I just see with Joe…a bit of nervousness.
“I spoke with Joe a while back and I said to him at the European Championships last summer, the ball went in the back of the net against Iceland, and he didn’t get up and berate his back line. I think Joe probably needs a bit of nastiness in his game.”
Hart is far from the only West Ham player who has looked to be lacking confidence over the campaign so far.
West Ham are currently in 18th place in the Premier League table, and have recently swapped managers, with David Moyes replacing Slaven Bilic.
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