Erling Haaland has marked the beginning of City’s new era under Enzo Maresca by making a dramatic change to his trademark appearance.
The Norway international removed his familiar long blond hair before Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth, replacing it with a closely cropped style.
Haaland documented the transformation for his YouTube channel and shared photographs on social media with the message: “Short hair don’t care.”
The 26-year-old also called several familiar faces to record their reactions, including former City manager Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola appeared surprised before delivering a characteristically self-deprecating verdict.
“You’re lucky to have hair,” he told Haaland. “I would love to have it!”
Haaland ignores Zlatan’s advice
Zlatan Ibrahimović was similarly taken aback and asked Haaland whether he had “lost a bet”.
The former Sweden striker also wanted to know whether the shorter style would make Haaland faster.
Haaland had previously revealed that Ibrahimović advised him never to cut his hair because his strength came from it.
There was little evidence of that theory against Bournemouth, although Haaland failed to score on the opening weekend for the first time since joining City.
He had found the net seven times across his previous four opening Premier League appearances.
Maresca’s side still began the season with a victory. Late goals from Marc Guéhi and Joško Gvardiol overturned Bournemouth’s lead and ensured Haaland’s new look was not accompanied by an early setback.
