SWANSEA, WALES -- Joe Hart admitted it had been a disappointing season for Manchester City after they all-but secured a fourth-placed finish in their last game of the season.
City needed a point at Swansea City in Manuel Pellegrini's last game in charge of the club to be virtually certain of finishing above rivals Manchester United to claim a Champions League place for next season.
Barring a highly unlikely 19-0 win for Louis van Gaal's side in their delayed game against Bournemouth, City will be in Europe's top competition next season under new boss Pep Guardiola.
But Hart insisted City had underachieved in the Premier League having failed to mount a serious title challenge and finishing 15 points behind champions Leicester City.
"It's hard to be too positive after that but we got the job done if you class the job as finishing fourth," he said, adding: "We know we've let ourselves down in the league this season."
"The beauty of football is we get another chance next year. We've not finished well in the league, it's as simple as that. But we've got Champions League and that's going to have to be the positive that comes out of it.
"We've won a cup and got to the semifinals of the Champions League, which is progress. So we'll take the positives into next season now.
"If you're not going to win the league then you have to finish in the Champions League. It's one of those where it doesn't matter how you get there."
Hart added that he had enjoyed working with outgoing boss Pellegrini and said it was crucial they didn't let him down in their final game of the season.
"We are professionals and we wanted to do well for Manuel," he added.
"We've enjoyed working with him and I'm sure the fans have enjoyed his time here, too."