Like a doctor, I love my job... I’ll never do the ‘dirty’ on club or country, says City captain

the same passion for football as club boss Pep Guardiola.

“I don’t know where I’ll be in football when I finish, but it’s 100 per cent certain I will remain in football,” he said.

“It’s my passion. It’s like studying to be a doctor and you say I’ve done all the exams and I’m 32 now, but I’m not going to be a doctor.

“I have played and lived this game since I was six years old, so I don’t see a reason why I should throw all that experience away all of a sudden.

“I have got good contact with the younger people here and I just love bringing across my experience and how I see certain things.

“I have learned from the best, from their mistakes as well as my own, and, hopefully, I will be better because of that.” Kompany is often seen mentoring academy players, as well as watching their matches when he can, because City is in his blood.

“Number one, I love football and what I like more than anything is seeing improvement,” he added. “I think that’s a passion of mine. And, number two, this club has given me so much. I’ve given this club so much too.

“There’s a relationship that’s going to grow and go further – once I finish playing, I’m still a Man City player for the rest of my life, that won’t change.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be at a club that has grown as my career has developed. When I came to City, it was the perfect environment for me.

“And then the club grew and I always knew I could play at this level. So, a lot of things have been perfect about it.

“It was definitely finding the right club at the right time.

“The player’s choice will always be to stay at a club for a long time because stability helps you develop and to win trophies, but sometimes it’s not always possible for every player – that’s just the way the football business is.”