Kompany to leave City for Anderlecht role
BELGIAN defender Vincent Kompany said yesterday that he would be leaving Manchester City and joining Anderlecht as playermanager after helping the Premier League club become the first team to win the English domestic treble.
“We’ve just seen the close of an incredible season – my 11th as a Blue. And I cannot believe I’m writing this, but… also my last as a Blue,” the City captain wrote in an open letter to fans on his Facebook page.
“Man City has given me everything. I’ve tried to give back as much as I possibly could.
“How often does someone get the chance to end such an important chapter, representing a club with such great history and tradition, in such a great fashion?”
“The time has come for me to go now. I choose to be grateful for the past, but remain ambitious and driven for the future. For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of RSC Anderlecht,” he said.
“It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made. As a footballer, I was born and raised at Anderlecht. Since the age of six, I have been one with that club. A history of 34-league titles, they are second to none.
“I want to share my knowledge with the next purple generations. With that, I will also put a bit of Manchester in the heart of Belgium,” Kompany said.
City crushed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to complete the unprecedented treble of league championship and both domestic cups.
“Without my teammates I would never have been here today,” he said. “We fought many battles together. So to all of you: I owe you guys!”