Two days after the triumph in the DFB Cup with FC Bayern, successful coach Vincent Kompany returned to his former club Manchester City – but only temporarily.
Kompany and many other (former) players of the English runner-up and cup winners celebrated the so-called “After Party” in the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester in honor of the outgoing star coach Pep Guardiola, who is stepping down from his position after ten years.
“The return of a hero,” the Skyblues wrote on X on Monday evening about a video from Kompany that shows him with the old championship trophy. The 40-year-old former professional was cheered wildly by around 19,000 fans.
Kompany was under contract with Man City as a player for a total of eleven years between 2008 and 2019. He was captain of Guardiola’s team in 2017/18 and 2018/19. Kompany brought the Premier League trophy onto the stage on behalf of the 2018 champion team.
Guardiola had already paid tribute to Kompany before the cup final against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday (3-0). “It was a gift that I was able to work with him. I know that I owe this hunger to become a coach to the years with Pep. I have my own personality, but I have the belief that I could become a coach thanks to Pep,” said the Belgian, who ended his active career in 2020 and was hired as head coach at FC Bayern in 2024.
FC Bayern: No Kompany move to Man City
In addition to Guardiola, City also said goodbye to captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones. First there was a bus parade in the afternoon.
The women who won the Womens Super League (WSL) and successful youth teams were also cheered by the fans.
“Thank you so much. I can’t thank you enough. And from now on I will always have a place for you in my heart for the rest of my life,” Guardiola shouted to supporters from the stage.
Kompany was also considered his successor in Manchester, but remains loyal to FC Bayern. The new city coach will probably be the Italian Enzo Maresca (most recently Chelsea FC).
