Burnley hire Kompany

VINCENT KOMPANY was confirmed as Burnley’s new manager yesterday and handed the task of leading the club back into the Premier League.

The former Manchester City captain becomes Burnley’s first new boss in nearly a decade after Sean Dyche was sacked in April as the club headed for relegation. Kompany left Anderlecht last month, but his return to English football was delayed while he applied for a work permit.

The 36-year-old Belgian must rebuild the squad at Turf Moor and mount a promotion bid against a backdrop of financial uncertainty after relegation forced the club’s owners to repay a large chunk of the £65million loan that funded their takeover in 2020. Kompany, who won 10 major trophies in 11 years at City, said: ‘I’ve been impressed by the board’s vision for the club which aligns with my own and I look forward to playing my part as we enter an important season.’ Meanwhile, Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers also appointed a new head coach yesterday, with former Denmark and Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson named as Tony Mowbray’s replacement at Ewood Park. Tomasson left Malmo in December after clinching his second Swedish title in a row.

Tomasson, 45, said: ‘We have a young team here, and also a great academy. The owners have a clear vision, which is to develop players and become a sustainable Premier League club over time.’