Maresca reveals why Haaland's goal-scoring record rules him out as City captain

Erling Haaland will not be Manchester City’s next captain because he scores too many goals, new manager Enzo Maresca has explained. The Italian, who replaced Pep Guardiola this summer, told reporters that a long-standing personal rule makes the Norwegian striker an impossible choice for the armband.

Maresca’s rule requires the captain to leave the celebrations and come to the touchline after each goal to receive tactical instructions. Given that Haaland has scored 162 times in just 198 City appearances since his £51m move from Borussia Dortmund in June 2022, the manager acknowledged the arrangement would be impractical. “If Erling is the captain, we have a problem. F** hell, can you imagine?” Maresca said.

The captaincy question arose after Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid this summer left the armband vacant. Haaland had been considered a leading candidate alongside defender Ruben Dias and midfielder Rodri, though Rodri may yet exit the club if his expected transfer to Barcelona is completed.

Maresca has already been rotating the captaincy during pre-season. Phil Foden wore the armband in the opening friendly against Inter Milan, while Dias skippered the side against a K League All-Stars XI and Atletico Madrid. The manager pointed to the Dias-led game as proof the system works: “If you saw the game on Wednesday, when we scored the first goal, Ruben came over to the bench. I think even if it is two or three minutes, there is always something to adjust.”

Haaland was absent from City’s pre-season tour of Asia after being granted extra time off following Norway’s run to the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. He is one of seven players who missed the trip, a group that also includes £116m signing Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki. All are expected to be available for the Community Shield against Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday.

Haaland has helped City win six major trophies across the past four seasons and will be central to Maresca’s plans for the 2026/27 campaign, even if the captain’s armband goes elsewhere.