Sack brace
VINNY: I DON’T FEAR THE BOOT BUT I’VE NOT GOT A FREE PASS AT CLARETS
VINCENT KOMPANY has dismissed the idea he’s bulletproof at Burnley.
Premier League bosses Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe are living with ongoing speculation their jobs are under threat.
Despite Burnley fighting a season-long relegation battle that’s now intensified with 12 games left, there’s little conversation around Kompany’s future with a return to the Championship looking increasingly likely.
But as he prepares his team to face Bournemouth at Turf Moor today, Kompany insists he’s not in a unique position and could be sacked like any other boss.
“Have you ever seen anyone with a free pass? No. Well, it’s the same for me. No one has a free pass in football,” said Kompany. “I just choose not to pay attention to what might happen. I have a job to do, I focus on that and try to give everything I have.”
As a major part of Manchester City’s rise to glory, Kompany’s playing days were spent winning.
That continued last season when he led Burnley to the second tier title in spectacular style. Now life is tougher – but Kompany isn’t living in the past.
“Losing hurts but I don’t let pride come into it. I have had to prove myself as a coach.
“I don’t have any God-given right to win more games than another manager because I was a successful player. You have to earn it and this is part of it. I don’t live in the past. If you ask me where my medals and trophies are I won as a player, I couldn’t tell you.
“There’s no trophy room at home or pictures everywhere. Maybe the kids might have some Panini cards but that’s it.
“I don’t talk as a former successful player. I speak as a manager who is living from the success of last season to a difficult time now.
“I was warned about the job and the difficult times, but why would I complain about that now? And I would hope the players have that focus too.
“We don’t have a single player in the squad this season with a release clause if we go down. None.
“That’s unusual and the reason is, when it comes to where we are right now we don’t want anyone to switch off.”