Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has described Enzo Maresca as the ideal candidate to take charge of the club in the wake of Pep Guardiola's departure, calling him the perfect person for the role.

Dias spoke to BBC Sport's Kelly Somers about the transition at the Etihad, acknowledging that life at City looks different without Guardiola — the manager who shaped the club's dominant era in English football — at the helm.

The Portuguese centre-back expressed confidence in the direction City are heading under new leadership, suggesting that Maresca's appointment brings clarity and purpose to a squad navigating a significant period of change.

Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2024-25 season after nine trophy-laden years in charge, bringing to a close one of the most celebrated managerial stints in Premier League history.

Dias, a cornerstone of City's defensive setup throughout that era, indicated that the players have embraced the transition and are focused on competing at the highest level under whoever leads them forward.

Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City, now takes on the challenge of maintaining City's standing among England's elite — a task that comes with enormous expectation given the standards set under Guardiola.