LONDON • Vincent Kompany announced yesterday that he will leave Manchester City after 11 trophy-laden years to become player-manager of Anderlecht.
Belgian defender Kompany joined City in 2008 and made 360 appearances, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields.
The club captain signed off by lifting the FA Cup trophy on Saturday after City thrashed Watford 6-0 to complete a domestic treble.
"As overwhelming as it is, the time has come for me to go. And what a season to bow out," said the 33-year-old, who was in tears after scoring a dramatic long-range winner against Leicester in City's final home game of the season on May 6.
"I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club."
Anderlecht is the Belgian club where Kompany began his professional career before joining Hamburg and he admitted he is relishing the chance to move into management.
"For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of Anderlecht. Belgium's finest," he wrote on Facebook.
4
Vincent Kompany has led Manchester City to four Premier League titles.
"This may come as a surprise to you. It's the most passionate yet rational decision I've ever made.
"(Club owner) Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful.
"A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome."
Kompany, who featured in only 17 of City's 38 league games this season because of muscle problems, also paid tribute to his teammates and manager Pep Guardiola.
"It's cliche to say it, but it's also so true: without my teammates, I would have never been here today," he said.
"So to all of you, from the 2008-2009 squad to today's domestic treble winners: I owe you guys!
"A special word also to Pep and the backroom staff: you've been superb... Thank you so much."
In September, City will hold Kompany's testimonial match, from which he will donate all profits to Manchester's homeless.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told the club's official website: "There have been many important contributors to Manchester City's renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany. 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."
Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, Kompany's club and country teammate, tweeted: "Playing for about 10 years with this man for club and country. And what a privilege it's been.
"Big player, Big personality and big leader. Learnt a lot from you. Wishing you all the best for the future."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A wolf will become hostile towards a player or other mob that attacks it, unless the attacker is the wolf's owner or is otherwise on the same team, and will also cause wild wolves and standing tamed wolves in a 33×33×21 cuboid centered on the attacked wolf to become hostile towards the attacker.
Wolf Facts - Wolf Pack
Lionel Messi is back but Lionel Scaloni's Copa squad is littered with new faces. Messi the one constant in a much-changed Argentina squad for Copa America and he has surely played a key
Lionel Messi in 2018: Another underrated year for the little
Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat who was given a rousing reception from supporters in what was believed to be his last game for the club. BALE LEFT ON BENCH Keylor played
La Liga: Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat
We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win 06 April 2019, MVT 10:35 Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp looks on before the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 3, 2019.
We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reports to the President For the Year Ended June 30, 1993 The Corporation 1992-93 Honorary Chairman:David
Lessons for Europe From the 2008 Icelandic Bank Collapse
Atletico Madrid left it late to see off Girona 2-0 at home on Tuesday as strikes from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann. The win kept up their faint hopes of catching La Liga leaders FC Barcelona. Team captain Godin broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with the help of the Video Assistant Referee
Queiroz's Iran have been the form team of the Asian Cup but they lacked ideas against a calm Japanese team who seized their opportunities. Asian Cup: 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup
Few of the 24 women's World Cup teams arriving in France for next month's tournament will bear the weight of expectation quite like reigning champions the United States. In March, they sued the U
Women's World Cup: Which teams are the favourites and who
FA Cup 2019: Manchester City set to face Watford in final at Wembley Stadium semifinal, Watford rallied for two goals down to beat Wolves 3-2 in extra time. After goals from Matt Doherty and
FA Cup semi final draw recap: Man City, Wolves, Brighton and
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo training yesterday in Turin before the flight to Amsterdam for the Champions League quarter-final first leg at
Ronaldo return looms massive over Juve's European hopes
Football: Aston Villa return to Premier League with win over
Speaking to James Pearce on the Liverpool ECHO Blood Red podcast, Benitez said: "I want to be very respectful to my team, but this team is much better. "Not just the team, but the squad. In my
James Milner keen to avoid all-Premier League affair in
Qatar stun Japan in Asian Cup final Qatar shocked four-time champions Japan 3-1 to win their first Asian Cup title on Friday, three years before the resource-rich Gulf nation hosts the World Cup in 2022.
Ali's 'golden touch' floors Japan as Qatar lifts Asian Cup
(Adds quotes) By Richard Martin. BARCELONA, May 4 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid fell to their heaviest league defeat of the season as they were crushed 3-0 by Espanyol on Saturday, missing the chance to mathematically guarantee they finish second in La Liga ahead of neighbors Real Madrid.
Soccer-Atletico slump to biggest defeat of season against
0 comments:
Post a Comment