Vincent Kompany: The Ideal Successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

In the near future, Manchester City will inevitably need to appoint a new coach to succeed Pep Guardiola. The timeline for this transition remains uncertain—whether it will be next year, the year after, or even three years from now. However, the leading candidate for this role is becoming increasingly clear: Vincent Kompany from Bayern Munich.

When Bayern faces Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates on Wednesday, two of the strongest contenders to replace Guardiola—Kompany and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta—will go head-to-head. Despite Arteta’s previous role as Guardiola’s assistant at City and his successful tenure at Arsenal, it seems unlikely he would leave for City given his current project.

Having known Kompany for almost two decades, dating back to when he played for Hamburg in 2008, I firmly believe he is well-positioned to succeed Pep at City. Timing is crucial in football; many touted successors to Guardiola have faltered over the years. However, managing a prominent club like Bayern Munich offers Kompany a solid foundation. For a player of his caliber, Manchester City likely represents the pinnacle akin to Real Madrid.

In my view, Kompany would be an exceptional choice to replace Guardiola in the future. He embodies a large personality, essential for following someone of Guardiola’s stature. Furthermore, he possesses the political acumen to navigate relationships throughout the club hierarchy, coupled with deep-rooted connections to Manchester City, where he spent 11 years and secured 12 trophies as captain, including four Premier League titles.

Before delving into his football philosophy, it’s essential to highlight Kompany’s personality traits. When I first met him, he was a No. 10 at Hamburg, playing alongside Rafael van der Vaart. He was celebrated as a wonderkid, capturing the attention of many, and he left a lasting impression as a genuinely personable individual. Shortly thereafter, he joined me at City, coinciding with Sheikh Mansour’s takeover, which transformed the club into a global powerhouse.

At just 22 years old, Kompany’s leadership and presence were immediately apparent. He garnered respect due to his multilingual abilities, breaking down barriers within the team. He is one of those rare individuals who excels at everything he undertakes, valuing hard work alongside natural talent. While he is academically accomplished—having earned a business degree from the University of Manchester in 2017 while captaining City—he is equally gifted on the football pitch.

Despite his amiable nature, Kompany can be direct and assertive. I witnessed this during a preseason friendly against Inter Milan in 2010, where, frustrated by our team’s performance, he took out his anger on Samuel Eto’o, then one of the world’s best players. Kompany’s refusal to accept an effortless loss exemplified his fierce competitive spirit, raising the team’s standards.

As a captain, he utilized this drive and determination to motivate those around him. At Burnley, he fostered a high-pressing style, tailoring individual tactics for players to enhance their performance. His ability to convince a striker to adopt more defensive responsibilities to improve goal-scoring opportunities exemplifies his astute management style.

Currently at Bayern, where the team is expected to dominate, Kompany employs tactical strategies to counter various approaches from opponents. His adaptability was evident in a recent match against Paris Saint-Germain, where the team, reduced to 10 men, showcased resilience and grit to secure a victory, reflecting the qualities needed for success over a season.

Kompany remains under significant pressure at Bayern, where winning the league and competing in Europe are non-negotiable. Despite skepticism surrounding his credentials when he took the job after Burnley’s relegation, he has silenced critics and earned a contract extension.

As he continues to excel at Bayern, Kompany’s likelihood of becoming a candidate for Manchester City increases. His playing style and emphasis on pace and movement would resonate well within the City squad, and his established rapport with fans and club hierarchy would facilitate a smoother transition compared to previous successors of iconic managers.

Should Kompany return to City as coach, he would not attempt to replicate Guardiola’s style, acknowledging the unique challenge ahead. He possesses the strength of character to navigate this journey, although timing will be crucial as he weighs the option of leaving Bayern, a significant club in its own right.

Ultimately, Kompany will want to challenge himself at a top Premier League club, and none seems more fitting than Manchester City.