One day after Man City confirmed the new captain and the 4 -person leadership group for the next season, coach Pep Guardiola did not use anyone of them in the match against Wydad AC at Club World Cup 2025.
New captain Bernardo Silva and 3 deputy heads of Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland both sat on the bench in Philadelphia. Therefore, goalkeeper Ederson is the captain. Silva will have a chance to really command the team on June 23, when Man City confront Al Ain in Atlanta.
The fact that Man City chose Bernardo Silva as a new captain actually surprised many surprises. Guardiola broke the rules – instead of letting the players vote as usual, he directly appointed Silva to the role of the leader and add Haaland to the leadership group, with a further look for the long -term future.
This is a remarkable decision, because Silva himself was the one who frankly criticized the quality and competition standards of Man City who were decreased last season. Moreover, this decision was made in the context of his own future at Etihad is also being questioned. Despite the pledge to stay until the end of the 2025/26 season, those who carefully read the recent statements of Silva can see that he will leave the club when the maturity contract in the summer next year.
“I know what I will do, but now it's not time to say,” Silva said. “I am focusing on this season, focusing on the good play for Man City.” When the appropriate time, I will say. I have a contract year, so it is clear that I can leave next season. But next season I will definitely stay in City. “
On the other hand, this also follows a trend at Man City. Since Vincent Kompany has closed 8 years wearing the captain's armband in 2019, the team has had a short -term change series in this position. David Silva took on a season, Fernandinho two seasons and then left. Ilkay Gundogan was the captain of a year before moving to Barca. Kyle Walker took over but only had 18 months before breaking up to AC Milan. Kevin De Bruyne temporarily took over, but only played this role half the season before saying a touching farewell not long ago.
Now, with the possibility that Bernardo Silva only wears the captain's armband in a season, Man City can end the year with 6 captains in 8 seasons, and can search for the 7th person in the next 9 years. However, with the average age in Guardiola's squad is falling, a more stable appointment may come early.
Dias (28 years old), Haaland (24) and Rodri (29 years old on June 22) are all suitable names for this position – as long as they commit a long -term future, especially with Rodri – the incumbent owner of the Golden Ball. Interestingly, this week, Pep shared the potential to become the official captain of Haaland.
“First, Erling is very young, but he needs to start learning that – learn the true meaning of the captain,” Guardiola said. “I hope Haaland will be here for many years and sooner or later he will be the leader of the team.”
“When you have people like Bernardo, Ruben, Rodri – or like Gundogan, who was a great captain in the Ba – Haaland season, he could learn. He was respected, an important factor to us. No need to discuss what he did on the pitch – that everyone knows – but if he thinks further, he needs to learn what is best for the team.
Haaland used to wear the Norwegian national captain and even a Captain Man City in the victory over Newcastle in the Premier League last season. But when he became the official member of the leadership, he would have more experience and better understand the responsibility behind that role – what Guardiola did not hesitate to share.
“You always have to put the collective and teammates above yourself, and always wonder: What is the best for the team? If doing so, you will never be wrong,” Guardiola emphasized.
“That's what you have to do when wearing the captain's armband. Bernardo is an extraordinary factor – 9 years at the club, almost never injured, always know how to stand out in difficult times, a mirror on the pitch. When something needs to tell me, he is ready to speak out.”
“Ruben and Rodri, too, they are the ones who will lead the rookies – because there will always be problems that arise in the season. It is important to know how to solve for the common interests, and these are players with great personality on the pitch.”
“When everything becomes bad or in crisis, they will stand out and say: 'Okay, guys, we have to do something – can't accept it.' That's why I chose them.”
You can understand why Guardiola put faith in Silva. They have a close relationship and are not likely to crack like Walker last season. Silva is the leader of the leader, telling the truth, knowing when to criticize, when to protect his teammates, and often convey the right message at the right time.
However, this time it feels like this again is a short -term decision. And the race for the captain's successor probably started today.
