Vincent Kompany has announced his retirement from playing football at the age of 34. The ex Manchester City Captain who spent 11 years with City has been appointed head coach of Anderlecht.
Kompany, re-joined the Belgium club as player-manager last summer but relinquished his managerial duties in August to concentrate on playing.
The 34-year-old replaces Franky Vercauteren as Anderlecht boss. “I want to fully commit to my role as coach and need 100% of my time and focus for it.” he said.
Eight successful seasons as club captain
Defender Kompany had eight seasons as club captain for City. During that time, he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups with the Manchester club.
He was also successful in his native Belgium by winning the Belgium First Division twice. On the international front he won 89 caps for Belgium.
No doubt about it, a true City legend
Kompany will always be considered a legend at the Etihad Stadium. Over a decade in a light blue shirt for the man who played a role in shaping the culture of the club.
The Belgium defender will be remembered for his top class defending for both club and country. He was the rock of what at one time was an exceptional defence.
In recent seasons City just haven’t looked the same side without Kompany holding their backline together. If you were to look at the stats that would tell you City lost a lot of games when he wasn’t playing.
Kompany’s wonder strike seals City title
Despite being quietly spoken off the pitch on it he was a different character. The defender will always be remembered for his wonder strike for City against Leicester in 2019. With the game edging towards a draw, up popped Kompany before unleashing an unstoppable shot which flew into the net.
The value of that goal meant everything to the blue side of Manchester. Kompany’s strike virtually sealed the title for City after a fight to the death with Liverpool.
Such a likeable man on and off the pitch
As Kompany decides to hang up his boots, a new chapter opens up for the likeable defender. One thing is for sure, he had many admirers for his time on the pitch as a player. Now he is in the hot seat at Anderlecht.
Good luck Vincent, you deserve to be a success as a manager. However, you will always be remembered for your no nonsense defending and that wonder goal at the Etihad.