Ten Hag in great Kompany
Vincent’s robust defence of under-fire boss Erik
VINCENT Kompany has mounted a stout defence of the beleaguered Erik ten Hag, claiming he is one of the world’s best managers.
Ten Hag is expected to be sacked by Manchester United at the end of the season because he has failed to meet their target of Champions League football.
Kompany remembers the coach’s Ajax tenure and says the Dutchman always stood out.
Special
The pair meet at Old Trafford today and Burnley boss Kompany said:“I’ve witnessed some of the best playing teams I’ve ever played against as a manager and that I’ve seen in my whole career.
“So when his team at Ajax were playing, it was something special. It wasn’t something you could attribute to a team of that age because there were really young or the financial resources, it was incredible.
“They were up there with the best teams I’ve ever seen play. You know most of those teams in recent times have been associated with Pep. Of course, there were other managers as well.
“He was one of them.”
Kompany studied Ajax when they reached the 2019 Champions League semi-finals. They would have faced Manchester City had the Blues not been edged out by Tottenham.
He hailed Ten Hag as a “reference coach” for other managers like him because he has learnt so much from him.
“There was that moment when we were close to playing them in the semi-final of the Champions League, there was VAR intervention and Tottenham ended up going through,” he said.
“I think he’s had some reference teams for many other coaches in the world. He wasn’t just about good players, he was about the ideas behind the teams and what they were doing.
“All of his advice was to be seen in games, what was happening in games.
“I have to be honest, it’s not like we go out for coffees or anything, but I have followed his trajectory and he’s one of those reference coaches.
“It goes a little bit against the trend right now, but I’m telling the truth.”
Chance
Burnley are three points from safety after losing one of their last seven games and Kompany says they just need a chance.
“Like I’ve said since the beginning, just give us one opportunity to fight for something and that’s all we need,” he said.
“That’s why we spend so much energy every day in training, trying to get this team to the best possible level and it feels like that on Saturday.
“It’s one game that gives us an opportunity and that’s enough for us.”