Richard Dunne has thrown his weight behind Manchester City's new-look leadership structure, insisting the four-man captaincy group can handle the responsibility left behind by this summer's departures.

Dunne knows a thing or two about wearing the armband at the Etihad Stadium. The 46-year-old was appointed club captain in 2006 and held the role for the remainder of his time at City, a period that made him one of the most recognisable figures of the club's pre-Abu Dhabi era.

A quartet to share the load

Enzo Maresca confirmed his captaincy group for the 2026/27 campaign after Tuesday's transfer deadline, naming Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma as the four players who will share the responsibility.

Dias takes the role after Bernardo Silva's departure, with the Portugal international having been the heartbeat of City's defensive structure for the best part of five years. He also carried the armband on a permanent basis for much of last season.

Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace in January, adds Premier League experience to the group, while Donnarumma, 27, anchors the quartet from the goalkeeper position.

The composition of the group reflects the scale of change at the club this summer. Rodri and Bernardo Silva, both central to City's leadership culture under Pep Guardiola, have moved on, with the former joining Barcelona and the latter heading to Real Madrid.

Transition on and off the pitch

That exodus followed a summer of significant arrivals, including Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson, as Maresca reshapes his squad.

Dunne, speaking to City Xtra on behalf of OLBG, offered his backing for the new arrangement.

City return from the international break with a trip to Liverpool on October 11 before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on the 14th. Phil Foden is eligible to return for the PSG game following his three-match domestic ban, having missed the opening Champions League league phase away at Porto.

The captaincy question may have been settled, but the tests come thick and fast from here.