On the Manchester City training ground, many of the players and staff have already noticed something between Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola that makes them laugh. The manager generally refers to most of the squad by their first names, but that isn’t the case with the new megastar. Guardiola calls him “Haaland” in almost schoolmasterly style. The tone isn’t totally unlike Sir Alex Ferguson berating Lee Sharpe and Ryan Giggs for having a party and referring to them by their squad numbers. “And you, five.”
Although the interactions have brought smiles from teammates, they reflect a serious point. Guardiola sees himself in an educational role here, more than with many other players. He does not yet see Haaland as the finished article, which is one reason why the Norwegian himself has spoken to the media - in that markedly blunt style - of how he has to improve.
