Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has requested that Pep Guardiola refrain from promoting him as the next manager of Manchester City.
This is because he is still in the beginning phases of his coaching career.
In Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinal match, City legend Kompany—who spent 11 years at the Etihad Stadium and earned 10 major awards during that time—will take on his former team.
In what is sure to be a touching reunion, Kompany will make his first trip back to the stadium, where a statue honoring his tenure at the club was unveiled in August 2021.
Kompany has enjoyed great success in his first season as manager of Burnley, who are cruising toward promotion from the Championship after two seasons as coach of Anderlecht.
Guardiola reiterated on the eve of the game that he fully expects the 36-year-old to manage City one day, but Kompany says that is an unrealistic view at this point.
“He has got to stop saying it,” Kompany said. “I’m a Championship manager. I don’t know what you want from me.
“I think [Guardiola] should stay for another 10 years at Manchester City first and foremost.
“City are competing to win the Champions League; we are competing to win the Championship – I don’t think these kinds of conversations make sense.
“They need to have the best manager in the world. I want to be extremely respectful to the club I manage as well. This club to me means everything. I want this club to get better.”
Definition of a 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗 right here! 👇
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 17, 2023
See you tomorrow, @VincentKompany 💙 pic.twitter.com/8plsj81VFs
Among other compliments, Guardiola praised Kompany – whom he worked with for three seasons – for instilling an “exceptional” style of play at Burnley so quickly.
Asked if Guardiola’s comments are putting added pressure on his own managerial career, Kompany said: “Pressure is a thing of your own mind.
“I think if you play in big finals you are okay with pressure, but I try to be as rational as I can.
“I am in an environment where the people I work with are rational enough to not make my job dependent on whether we beat Manchester City.
“I came to Burnley because I chose it for the people. It is an environment where I have a chance to learn and get better.”
Burnley have not won away at City since the 1973 Charity Shield, drawing four and losing 12 of their 16 visits since then.
