Erling Haaland’s father Alfie opens up on Manchester City’s next manager | OneFootball

Alf-Inge Haaland, the father of Manchester City and Norway striker Erling, has looked ahead to the future at the Etihad Stadium without Pep Guardiola in charge.

With the official administrative handover expected to be completed in the coming days, incoming manager Enzo Maresca is slated to formally begin his duties at the City Football Academy imminently to guide a club determined to sustain domestic and continental heights.

The managerial transition arrives at a time of immense global spotlight for the club’s key playing personnel, particularly their talismanic No.9 out stateside at the FIFA World Cup in North America.

Erling Haaland has taken the tournament entirely by storm, recently firing a second successive competition brace against Senegal at MetLife Stadium to draw Norway level with France in Group I and officially become his country’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer.

As the 25-year-old forward cements his status as a leading Golden Boot contender on the global stage, his inner circle has provided reassuring clarity regarding how the striker views the impending structural changes awaiting him back in Manchester.

What does the Haaland family think of the Maresca era?

Speaking this week to RMC Sport whilst at the FIFA World Cup in North America, Alfie Haaland was quizzed on how his son Erling feels in light of Pep Guardiola’s exit after 10 years at Manchester City.

“No one can replace Pep Guardiola, but it’s a new chapter for Manchester City,” Alf-Inge admitted.

“It looks like Enzo Maresca will replace him. He’s a good choice, even though he’s had a difficult season. I think he’ll get along well with Erling, and it’s a new era.”

He added, “No one will be like Guardiola, but we have to do our best.”

Enzo Maresca’s imminent challenges as Man City boss

By openly acknowledging that Maresca weathered a complex and fragmented campaign at Stamford Bridge before his departure, the Haaland camp shows a deep understanding of the unique pressures that await the former Manchester City assistant.

Maresca’s proven commitment to expansive, positionally fluid attacking play – previously lauded by Pep Guardiola – serves as a tactical match to maximise Erling Haaland’s lethal off-the-ball movement and penalty box efficiency.

Elsewhere, the club is also closing in on a record-shattering package for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, while simultaneously entertaining interest from Tottenham Hotspur for Brazilian winger Savinho.