For the past season, Belgian defender Vincent Kompany balanced his time with Anderlecht between being on the pitch and managing the club. In 2019/20, however, Kompany will remain on the sidelines full time.
Anderlecht announced on social media that Kompany officially retired from playing professionally while inking a deal to be club’s manager for the next four years.
“I want to fully commit to my role as a coach and need 100% of my time and focus for it. That’s why I’m quitting as a football player,” said Kompany in a club-released statement. “I want to stay with the club for at least four seasons and prove that Anderlecht can play a modern style of football, with results.”
Kompany’s first season back with Anderlecht, in which he shared managerial duties with Frank Vercauteren, wasn’t a success, as the club finished eighth and out of European competitions. The 34-year-old player managed to play 15 games in 2019/20 while scoring one goal.
Vincent Kompany started his career with Anderlecht and won two Belgian First Division titles between 2003 and 2006. After three seasons with German Hamburger SV, Kompany joined Manchester City, where he established himself as one of the best center backs of his generation.
Kompany played 360 games with City in all competitions and helped the team win 11 trophies. This includes four Premier League titles.
