Vincent Kompany. - Rui Vieira / AP / SIPA

Belgian international defender Vincent Kompany (34) ended his playing career on Monday to become Anderlecht coach to replace Franky Vercauteren, the club said in a statement.

Vincent becomes the head coach of RSC Anderlecht. In dat voor de volgende 4 seizoenen. He stops his playing career and takes over from Franky. 🟣⚪ pic.twitter.com/n0ALn0udJl

- RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) August 17, 2020

He was already a player-coach

Trained in the Brussels club, the most successful in Belgium, Kompany returned from Manchester City in 2019 with the double cap of player and manager. Vercauteren had been head coach of RSC Anderlecht since October.

We don't believe the hype, we don't believe the drama. We believe in the process. We continuously produce good football, with a very (!) Young but talented squad. However, no results, so no excuses. Now there's nothing else to do but work even harder. #InYouthWeTrust pic.twitter.com/etSiqJeJVf

- Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) August 23, 2019

But relations between the two men were strained. For several days, the Belgian media announced the imminent resignation of Vercauteren, tired of being in the shadow of Kompany who, in fact, was the real sports boss of the “Mauves”. The two men also did not share the same vision of the game.

The repeated injuries of "Vince the Prince" (his nickname in the Premier League) have also undoubtedly pushed the captain of the Red Devils to leave the field. The Brussels resident was injured again this summer and had been on the sidelines for three weeks.

Pioneer! Thanks for everything, skipper. 💪🇧🇪 #Thank youVince pic.twitter.com/A2clTjzka3

- Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) August 17, 2020

"At the club at least four seasons" 

"I want to fully engage in my role as coach and I need 100% of my time to focus on this function", "I want to stay with the club for at least 4 seasons and prove that Anderlecht can playing a modern style of football with results, ”Kompany said in a statement.

The man with a charismatic personality will have his work cut out for him as Anderlecht is going through a sporting and financial crisis. Last season, the RSCA finished in 8th place in the Jupiler Pro League, its worst ranking since the post-war period.

  • Belgium
  • Mercato
  • Soccer
  • Sport