Enzo Maresca, recently appointed as Manchester City’s head coach, will take direct control over selecting the club captain for the upcoming season, departing from the recent player-driven tradition. Maresca also intends to ensure that an English player is included in the club’s leadership committee, which could enhance the role of Phil Foden, who is currently one of the longest-serving members of the squad at 26 years old.

Historically, Manchester City captains were chosen by the players themselves. That changed under former manager Pep Guardiola, who last summer appointed Bernardo Silva as club captain. Silva has since transferred to Real Madrid, leaving a leadership void alongside Rodri, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona. From last season’s quartet of captains, only Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland remain.

Foden has expressed a desire to be involved in the new leadership group, drawing on his status as a senior and homegrown player. Maresca has reportedly conveyed to his coaching staff that an English player will definitely feature in the leadership committee, with Chelsea’s Marc Guehi also expected to be considered.

Under Guardiola, the previous practice allowed players to select the captain, a method in place during the 2022-2023 campaign when Ilkay Gundogan led the team to a historic treble. This tradition was disrupted when Kyle Walker was elected captain but departed the club in January 2025. Guardiola subsequently took a hands-on approach in appointing Silva ahead of last summer’s Club World Cup, despite it being known that Silva’s time at City was nearing its end.

Maresca’s move to personally name the captain signals a shift in leadership philosophy as he prepares to take charge at the Etihad Stadium beginning with the 2026-2027 season. How this change will affect the dynamics within the squad remains to be seen, but it aligns closely with the new manager’s approach to team management and cultural identity, including prioritizing English talent in key roles.