Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted his loan spell at West Ham came during a difficult period for the club.

The 38 year old says he sympathises with Hammers fans as they once again voice their discontent at the club’s ownership.

It has been an awful start to the 2025/26 season for West Ham. Graham Potter’s side have won just one of their first five Premier League games. They also crashed out of the EFL Cup at the first hurdle, losing their second round tie against Wolves 3-2. The mood around the club certainly feels as though it has hit a new low.

Before the Crystal Palace game, thousands of supporters took to the streets in protest against David Sullivan and Karren Brady. Supporters groups have vowed to keep up the pressure with further protests being planned for the months ahead.

Joe Hart signed for West Ham on loan back in the 2017/18 season. The ex Manchester City shot stopper joined during a campaign where the Hammers had their struggles and spent time near the bottom of the table. Interestingly Hart signed for the club while Slaven Bilic was in charge, Bilic has recently been linked with a potential return to East London should Graham Potter get the sack.

Bilic was ultimately sacked in the November of that season and was replaced by David Moyes who guided the Hammers to safety and a 13th place finish in the Premier League.

Reflecting on his loan spell at the club, Hart admitted the atmosphere turned rather toxic at points, and discussed how he sees echoes of that time in the current unrest at West Ham.

Speaking to the BBC’s Football Daily, Hart said: “I was part of a team that didn’t perform, and at the time it got quite vicious.”

He went on to express his sympathy for the supporters as calls for change, particularly at the top of the club, gather momentum. “At West Ham it’s been rumbling for some time and I feel for you (West Ham fans) because you stand by the club and you’re wanting change and direction, but it’s been hard to find the direction.”

Hart compared the situation at West Ham to what he experienced during his time at Tottenham: “It’s the same as how I felt at Tottenham, it’s just not quite united.”

Joe Hart’s reflections serve as a clear reminder that the challenges at West Ham are long standing. With fans calling for change, West Ham face an important period where decisions made by those at the top of the club will determine whether stability and unity can be restored.