Man City striker Haaland sat down with Sky Sports to discuss his new haircut, the packed schedule, his leadership role within the team, and how becoming a father has changed him.
How have things been since the end of the international break, now that everyone is back together?
I think it’s been good. Of course, everyone has been travelling and doing various things. This international break was also very long; it had been two to two and a half weeks since we had last seen each other. So it feels good to be back, together as a team again, and back at the club. We also need to start winning games again.
Starting immediately.
Yeah.
How optimistic are you about this Man City team, which you could describe as reinvigorated?
Many new players have joined the team, and some of them need time. But in football, it is difficult to get that time, isn’t it? Everyone has to perform immediately. Of course, some players are already familiar with this league and everything here. The arrival of a new coach always brings changes. But we have to help one another and, ultimately, keep trying to win—win and win again.
Things are very different under this coach. Before you arrived, I saw a video of Maresca playing music during training. I find it hard to imagine Guardiola doing that.
No, Guardiola definitely would not do that. It is indeed different. I think that when a coach has been at a club for ten years, a change in management always brings significant changes. But it feels good. Change is always positive in some ways, even though we miss Guardiola, his leadership and his presence. The whole world feels his presence.
Maresca is here, and he has his own ideas. But we still want to control possession and play good football. So, even if some things are different, what we want to do remains the same.
One thing I didn’t notice when you first joined was that you and your father actually signed on the same day, June 13th. You were also born into a family with ties to Man City. This brings me to my question: with so many connections to the club, how much do you care about it?
I care deeply about it. I also have a strong affection for England as a whole. My mother and her family lived here for ten years, so this is a special place for us. I care about Man City, and I must say that I care about the fans here because I am also a fan and can understand their feelings. That is my answer.
How do you feel about going to Anfield on Sunday, and what do you expect from the match?
Playing against Liverpool is always special, especially those matches when Guardiola and Klopp were in charge. I remember when I was at Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, and Dortmund, I would sit and watch their games to see how they constantly pushed each other.
Playing there is always special. I’ve won there, drawn there, and lost there. Every Premier League game is different, and every game against Liverpool is special.
One last question. Obviously, the past few weeks haven’t been easy, either for the club or for everyone who loves Man City. What would you like to say to the fans travelling to Anfield to support you on Sunday?
I think they will have a good time. We must stick together, be there for one another, and stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we must keep smiling. So, we must remain positive, look ahead, try to win football games, and enjoy everything in front of us—enjoy the game.
Isn’t that the key? As you just said, everyone—the players, the fans and the club—is facing this together.
Yeah. As I said, we have to stick together and spread love to one another. So, stick together, enjoy the journey, and keep smiling.
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