Kompany, Guardiola’s successor at City? Analysis and possibilities.

Is Vincent Kompany the ideal successor to Guardiola at Manchester City?

In the not-so-distant future, Manchester City will face the task of finding Pep Guardiola’s successor. Although the exact date is uncertain, the name that strongly resonates is Vincent Kompany, currently at the helm of Bayern Munich. The clash between Bayern and Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League could be a strategic duel, where two of the strongest candidates to replace Guardiola face each other: Kompany and Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s coach. Although Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City for three years, his project at Arsenal seems to be irreversible, which rules him out as an option for City. Kompany, known by many, could be the right man to succeed Guardiola. The experience and leadership of the former player are key qualities.

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In football, time is everything, and Kompany is in charge of a powerful club like Bayern. For a footballer, what club would be attractive enough to leave everything behind? Probably Real Madrid. For Kompany, Manchester City could be his “Real Madrid”.

In my opinion, he would be the perfect candidate to replace Pep in the future. It takes a great personality to follow someone like Pep Guardiola, and Vinny has it.

Nedum Onuoha

Kompany possesses the political skills necessary to manage both his superiors and subordinates, as well as having a deep connection and love for the club, rooted in his eleven years as a player at the Etihad. During that time, he won 12 trophies, 11 as captain, including four Premier League titles. Kompany, a man with an overwhelming personality. He was a young player with a great future, but he also stood out for his attitude, which made him a great leader.

Despite his youth, his presence and leadership were evident. He earned everyone’s respect thanks to his ability to communicate in English, French, German, and Spanish, breaking down barriers and uniting the team. He is a person with innate talent and a hard worker. Kompany can also be direct and get angry. An example of this was during a pre-season friendly against Inter Milan in 2010. Kompany was annoyed with the team’s performance and directed his frustration towards Samuel Eto’o, who at that time was one of the best players in the world. Kompany did not accept losing, especially when he felt that the opponent was not trying hard enough. As a teammate, that determination and aggression raise the level. Kompany led by example and had a winning mentality that defines great teams and players. His natural leadership as City captain has been transferred to his management as a coach, motivating the players. In Burnley, Kompany wanted the team to press more frequently and intensely, but he was smart in communicating his message. He adapted the message and tactics to each player, making them feel like they were working for their own benefit. In this way, he got his players to work harder in defense and improve their performance.

In Bayern, where he knows his team will dominate most Bundesliga matches, Kompany prepares his players with tactical plans to overcome rivals who try to stop Bayern with different approaches. He has been successful in deploying Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala as false No. 9s. Some coaches live and die by their philosophies, but sometimes it’s good not to be so rigid. Kompany enjoyed the challenge of playing away against Paris Saint-Germain, when Bayern played with 10 players throughout the second half and still managed to win against the European champions. There was a level of courage, with periods of suffering, that pleased him because that kind of resilience and spirit is what makes you win things at the end of a season. Kompany is under constant pressure at Bayern. They are expected to win the league every season and conquer Europe. Despite many people doubting his credentials when he took over after being relegated with Burnley 18 months ago, he has proven them wrong and has earned a new contract as a reward. Kompany is passing every test at Bayern, so he is much more likely to be a candidate for City than he would have been if Pep had resigned at the end of the 2023-24 season. His style of play, which demands that his players be ready to receive the ball and play with rhythm and movement, would be easily accepted by the City squad. His relationship with the fans and the club hierarchy would ensure that he had the instant acceptance that David Moyes and Unai Emery did not have when they replaced Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger at Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively. If Kompany were to return to City as a coach, he wouldn’t try to be Pep, and that’s an important factor. He would probably be nervous about the challenge, but he is strong enough in his own beliefs to make sure he would face it with the same strength of character he has shown throughout his career. But it’s all a matter of time, and Bayern would be a great club to leave. Ultimately, Kompany will want to prove himself at a top-tier Premier League club. And there is none more suitable for him than Manchester City.