Vincent Kompany is the new manager of relegated Burnley

The former captain of the Belgian national team and Manchester Citizens is the new manager of Burnley. Kompany returns to England after a two-year hiatus during which he managed Brussels-based RSC Anderlecht. He has signed a contract at Burnley until 2025 and is expected to help the club return to the Premier League after relegation this season, while also helping the team to transform itself in terms of play and personnel.

Kompany gained his first coaching experience in the unusual position of playing coach at Anderlecht, where he transferred from Manchester City after the 2018/19 season. He became Anderlecht manager after retiring from active playing career after the 2019/20 season. Last season, he managed to lead the team to third place in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.

Kompany comes to Burnley at a difficult time. Burnley were relegated from the Premier League this season after six years. The team’s axis is aging and the main stars led by Tarkowski and Mee are coming to the end of their contracts. The team will need to be renewed and rejuvenated. This will be the first task of the new coach.

The next task will be to put a new game face on the team, Sean Dyche’s conservative and physical style has proven to be stale and inadequate for the Premier League. The Burnley management hopes Kompany can accomplish these two tasks and bring the team back to the Premier League within one season.

“I am impressed with the vision that the board has presented to me, which is the same as mine. I am looking forward to playing my part in the important season ahead,” Kompany told the club’s website after the signing.

Kompany seems to be the ideal manager for a team like Burnley. Moreover, his time at Anderlecht should also help him with his adaptation. He also took over the Brussels team during the transition phase and he has certainly managed to make Anderlecht a more consolidated and dangerous team.

Kompany relies on a fluid 4-4-2, which should suit Burnley as they generally present themselves in that formation. Kompany’s emphasis on ball possession, high pressing and quick transition into attack means he can change the game face of Burnley without changing the typical formation.

At Anderlecht, Kompany primarily gave young players a chance. Last season, the average age of his squad was just over 23. The average age of Burnley’s squad last season was over 29. Kompany has all the ingredients to spark a generational change at Burnley thanks to his work with young players so far.

Kompany will find a completely different team to the one relegated from the Premier League. Defensive stalwart James Tarkowski is on his way out. Other players like Aaron Lennon, Dale Stephens, and Erik Pieters have already left the team. The management is negotiating with Matej Vydra for a contract extension, but his future remains uncertain. The future is also uncertain for offensive mainstays Cornet and Weghorst.

Kompany’s presence with the team could have a significant impact on the transfer policy. There is speculation that Kompany could bring in several of his former charges from Anderlecht. Defender Harwood-Bellis, midfielders Josh Cullen, Kristoffer Olsson and winger Ait El Hadj appear to be possible arrivals from the Belgian outfit.

Kompany could also use his good relationship with the Manchester City management to bring in some young players on loan for the good of Burnley. All of these players meet a number of aspects. Firstly, they are familiar with the principles of Kompany’s style of play. Secondly, they would help the generational renewal of the team. And thirdly, many of them are from the British Isles, so they would have an easier time adapting.

According to Kompany himself, Burnley is the perfect match for him. The same sympathy was expressed by the English management. Kompany is under contract at Burnley until 2025.

“Vincent is a proven leader. I am impressed with his vision for Burnley, his appetite for success and his focus on taking the club back to the Premier League,” Burnley director Alan Pace said of Kompany.

Source: The Athletic, Burnley FC, Transfermarkt