Pep Guardiola has expressed strong confidence that Erling Haaland will one day lead Manchester City as captain, learning from the experienced leaders currently guiding the squad.
As Haaland prepares for his third full season at the Etihad Stadium, his commitment to the club is already evident, having signed a new ten-year contract in January 2025. Guardiola believes this long-term commitment lays the foundation for Haaland to eventually wear the captain’s armband.
Speaking ahead of City’s FIFA Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Guardiola revealed that, for the first time in his managerial career, he personally selected the leadership group for the season — a move that underlines the importance of strong, stable leadership within the squad.
“This season, for the first time ever, I chose the captains myself,” Guardiola explained. “I wasn’t satisfied with how things unfolded last season, so I decided it was time for me to make that call. I picked four captains to represent the team, and after the Club World Cup, we might add one or two more.”
Turning his attention to Haaland, Guardiola highlighted the Norwegian’s immense potential, while stressing that leadership is a responsibility that demands growth and understanding over time.
“Erling is still very young, but he’s already a vital part of our team,” said Guardiola. “He needs to start learning what it means to be a captain. If he does, I have no doubt that, in time, he will lead this club.”
Guardiola emphasized the valuable examples Haaland can learn from, pointing to current leaders like Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Rodri. He also praised Ilkay Gundogan, who was a pivotal captain during the club’s historic treble-winning campaign.
“Being a captain isn’t just about performances on the pitch,” Guardiola explained. “It’s about always putting the team first. You need to constantly ask yourself, ‘What is best for the team?’ When you do that, you rarely make a wrong decision.”
He continued, “Bernardo has been a role model – nine years at the club, almost never injured, always stepping up in tough moments. When something needs to be said, he says it, even to me. Ruben and Rodri have done the same. They bring calm and solutions during difficult times.”
Guardiola underlined that such leadership is essential, especially during challenging periods that inevitably arise during a long season. “These players have huge personalities. When things go wrong, they are the ones who rally the team and say, ‘We can’t accept this. Let’s fix it.’ That’s why I chose them.”
With Haaland’s talent, passion, and commitment to Manchester City, Guardiola is convinced it’s only a matter of time before the young striker grows into one of the club’s defining leaders.
