Skipper Kompany already looking forward to retaining league title
VINCENT Kompany bar e l y let Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations begin before setting his side the challenge of making it two in a row next season.
Having missed the chance to land the trophy in last weekend’s Manchester derby, City were crowned on their day off after Jose Mourinho’s United side crashed to a shock defeat at the hands of bottom club West Brom.
While City boss Pep Guardiola said he would be playing golf while the United match took place and a handful of players were reportedly out of the countr y, captain Kompany was at home watching the drama unfold with his family.
Television cameras captured the moment the Belgian discovered he was a three-time champion but, after an initial burst of excitement, he was focusing on the potential for more success.
“It’s amazing. The first time you win it, you think you’ ll win all of them. Then the first time you lose one, you think you’re never going to win another ever again,” he said.
“You just want to hold on to the feeling. It’s a difficult achievement and I’m proud of the team and everyone involved.
“You can’t take it for granted... before you know it, it’s gone. I have been lucky to win three but so many I have missed as well. I suppose my team-mates will roll their eyes a little bit but I kind of want to see what the reaction is now. I have never retained a title so I want to see if this team’s got it to carry on and be even more successful.”
Kompany indicated he spoke with the same voice as Guardiola, who can now lay claim to 24 trophies in a nine-year coaching career which includes triumphant spells at Barcelona
and Bayern Munich. “I think we share one thing maybe, the hunger and desire to never be satisfied,” said Kompany.
“This is not a dynasty, it is one title we’ve won. We’re still super happy but there is so much to do before we unlock our full potential.”
After a mixed first season in England, Guardiola faced questions about whether his methods were a good fit for the Premier League. A 16-point lead with five games to play and 93 goals scored represents an emphatic response, not that any doubts ever existed inside the City dressing room.
“We all believed,” said Kompany. “There was a period of adaptation for him coming into the league and for us taking in his methods. They were the right ones and the ones we believed in, I’m sure there are differences to how we play today compared to Bayern (Munich) and Barcelona, we survive and live by the strength of the team.”
Guardiola (above), speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Tottenham at Wembley, declared his own satisfaction at the superb efforts of his squad this term.
“It’s incredible the way we played and I am so glad to be here and be part of this club,” he said on the club’s website.
“These guys are fantastic, awesome. This club is absolutely amazing in all terms.”
He added: “You can win the Champions League in seven games, the league is 10 months. I’m sorry, it’s much more important what these guys have done this season.
“Hopefully we can celebrate with our fans against Swansea (next weekend) and be champions because they deserve it.”