Manchester City defender Rúben Dias has spoken candidly about adapting to a new era at the club, following a decade of dominance under manager Pep Guardiola. In a wide-ranging conversation with journalist Kelly Somers for The Football Interview, Dias reflected on the transition, his roots, and what lies ahead in his career.

A new chapter under Enzo Maresca

With Enzo Maresca now at the helm, Dias described what it feels like to operate under a different tactical philosophy after so many years shaped by Guardiola's methods. The defender acknowledged that change at a club of Manchester City's stature is never straightforward, but expressed genuine optimism about the direction the team is heading.

Adjusting to a shifting squad

The summer departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones have reshaped the dressing room dynamic, and Dias addressed how those exits have altered the group's identity. Despite losing two influential figures, he conveyed excitement about the fresh possibilities opening up for the squad.

Defining moments with Guardiola

Dias also looked back on his most memorable experience during Pep Guardiola's tenure — a period that brought sustained success and helped establish him as one of the finest central defenders in the world. That era, he suggested, forged not only his ability but his understanding of what winning at the highest level demands.

Family, Benfica, and the making of a defender

Away from tactics and transfers, Dias opened up about the role his parents played in his development during the early stages of his rise to prominence. He traced his foundations back to the Benfica academy, where the values instilled by his family helped shape the player — and the person — he would become.

Looking ahead into his thirties

Now firmly established among the elite, Dias reflected on what ambitions remain as he moves into the next phase of his career. Far from resting on his achievements, he spoke with the mindset of someone determined to keep adding to an already remarkable legacy at Manchester City.