Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland will lead the club for now as he continues to shape his leadership group ahead of the new season.
With the Community Shield approaching, Maresca was asked to clarify who would wear the captain’s armband during his first campaign in charge.
The Italian confirmed that Dias and Haaland are currently his preferred options, although he is not ready to make a final decision on the full leadership group until the transfer window closes.
“At the moment it’s Ruben and Erling – and I want to wait until the end of the transfer window before I pick two more,” said Maresca.
The decision places significant responsibility on two of City’s most influential figures.
Dias has already established himself as a key leader inside the dressing room, while Haaland’s goals and growing influence make him one of the club’s most important players.
For Maresca, however, being captain is not about receiving special treatment.
Instead, the new City boss expects his leaders to carry greater responsibility and set the tone for everyone around them.
The manager highlighted Dias’ qualities both as a footballer and as a leader, making it clear why the Portuguese defender remains central to his plans.
“Ruben showed during his time with this club how good he is as a player and in terms of a leader.
“But Maresca’s message to his captains is equally clear: the armband comes with more demands, not more privileges.
“It’s important for the captain, for the leader, that they understand that the reason why they are captain is that I expect more from them – not because I give them more freedom, more advantage. It is the opposite.
“For me the leadership group and the captains are the ones that have to show more in every moment.”
Maresca’s decision to wait until the end of the transfer window suggests that City’s leadership structure could still change.
The manager is expected to select two additional members of his leadership group once the squad is settled.
For now, though, Dias and Haaland sit at the front of the queue.
The message from Maresca is simple: captains must lead by example, carry responsibility and raise the standards around them.
As City prepare for another season of high expectations, their new manager is already making one thing clear — leadership under Maresca will be earned every day, not simply worn on an armband.
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