Vincent Kompany to become player-manager of Anderlecht after leaving Manchester City

Vincent Kompany will become player-manager of Anderlecht after calling time on his glittering Manchester City career.

The Belgian defender, 33, will leave City this summer following the club’s historic treble-winning season, ending 11 years of service.

Vincent Kompany lifted three domestic trophies in the 2018/19 season

And now he will return to the club where his professional career began, at the age of six, in Brussels.

He announced on his Facebook page: “I choose to be grateful for the past but remain ambitious and driven for the future.

“For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of Anderlecht. Belgium’s finest.

“This may come as a surprise to you. It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made.”

Kompany revealed that he had met with Anderlecht chairman Marc Coucke and sporting director Michael Verschueren last summer.

“I shared my thoughts and listened to their vision for the future: ambitious, courageous and determined to get back to number one,” he wrote.

Kompany became the first captain to lift all three domestic trophies in the men’s game

“I offered my help, no strings attached, should they need it.”

Kompany says he was then offered the player-manager job in the last few weeks.

“I want to share my knowledge with the next purple generations,” he continued.

“With that, I will also put a bit of Manchester in the heart of Belgium. This is no goodbye. It’s a see you later.”

He signed off with victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday, where City thrashed Watford 6-0 to complete a domestic treble.

The central defender was signed by Mark Hughes from German club Hamburg, days before the Sheikh Mansour takeover.

KOMPANY'S TROPHY HAUL

The Belgian won TEN major trophies with Man City

Premier League: 2011/12, 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19

FA Cup: 2010/11, 2018/19

League Cup: 2013/14, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19

Community Shield: 2012, 2018

He became a key figure in the success which followed, and leaves City having won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

City chairman Khaldoon paid his own tribute to Kompany.

“There have been many important contributors to Manchester City’s renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany,” he said.

Kompany lifted the Carabao Cup earlier this season

“He defines the essence of the club. For a decade he has been the lifeblood, the soul, and beating heart of a supremely talented squad.

“A booming voice in the dressing room yet a quiet and measured ambassador off it, Vincent can be as proud of himself as we are of him.

“I am not sure he expected to lift the Premier League trophy on four occasions during his captaincy but he will be remembered and revered whenever this period of unprecedented City success is spoken about by future generations.

“His leadership, intelligence and determination have seen him adapt brilliantly to playing under four different managers and overcome some debilitating injuries. He is a special character who has answered every demand the club has made of him.

“We now look forward to celebrating his testimonial match in September so that we can properly celebrate his City contribution. He will always be part of the City family.”

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