Burnley made a bold appointment in the summer of 2022 following their relegation from the Premier League. The Clarets appointed former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany as their new manager. Kompany had served as Anderlecht boss for two seasons following his retirement from the game, but had limited success before him move.
Kompany Rise
Burnley took the gamble on Kompany’s potential and have been rewarded with outstanding results and a transformation in their style of play. Under Sean Dyche in the Premier League, Burnley were dogged and determined, but you would never confuse them for a ball-playing outfit.
Kompany has turned them into an attractive side to watch, with Nathan Tella, Anass Zaroury, Manuel Benson, Josh Brownhill, Ian Maatsen and Josh Cullen all producing high level of football on the pitch.
As a result, Burnley are the overwhelming favorites to win the Championship ahead of Sheffield United. By using an offer or promotion, fans can still bet on the Clarets to win the Championship title, although the odds on them winning promotion back to the Premier League are already low to say the least. It seems only a matter of when not if Burnley are promoted back to the top flight. You could forgive the Clarets for already making plans for their return, especially when it comes to locking down the future of their manager.
Future City Manager?
Manchester City will be taking a great interest in how Kompany performs, if he does indeed guide Burnley back to the Premier League. If the Clarets can maintain their standards in the top flight and compete towards the top half of the table, then City might just be looking at their former captain as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has been sensational in his role, but his contract expires in 2025. He will have been with City for nine years at that point, which is almost unprecedented in modern football.
The Spaniard might be tempted with a new challenge if he wins the Champions League, which would give him a win in every major competition. Kompany has endorsed his former manager’s philosophy and would certainly be welcomed back with open arms by City. There might be a slight trepidation on the part of City given the way former players have struggled at other major clubs, such as Frank Lampard and Chelsea.
However, Kompany had already have proven that he can turn a club and its philosophy on its head in just a short term. TIt will be a challenge in the Premier League to keep the Clarets in the top flight. But, if he can, then Kompany could be a realistic replacement for Pep at the Etihad Stadium.
