Vincent Kompany feels right for player-manager role

Vincent Kompany insists he has “been a player-manager for most of his career” as he formally begins his role at Anderlecht. The 33-year-old central defender has taken on the role of player-boss at his former club after he left Manchester City after they completed the domestic treble in May.

Kompany has vowed to show the same drive as his former boss Pep Guardiola although he stops short of suggesting he sees himself matching the Spaniard’s achievements in the dugout. Anderlecht endured a dismal 2018/19 campaign, missing out on European qualification for the first time in 56 years.

“I will be as driven as Pep has been, that I know,” Kompany said at a press conference broadcast live by the club via Facebook. “Will I be as good? We will see.”

Having skippered Man City to four Premier League titles in his 11 years at the club, Kompany feels he has long been accustomed to have on-field responsibility. “I have been a player-manager for most of my career,” he said. “I have just been managing other stuff.

“Now I get to manage something related to football, which just happens to be something I know more about than the other stuff I was managing. So, in reality, it’s same old, same old.” Having added Craig Bellamy to his coaching team, Kompany feels the former Wales and City striker can add to his chances of success at Anderlecht.

“I wanted him to be part of my journey. He is a guy that will say what he thinks, be honest and be honest about himself as well. I really like that,” he added. “On top of thinking the same about football, and me knowing him throughout the years, it is a no-brainer. “I have not come here to look good. I have come here to do a good job.”