Vincent Kompany has been appointed as Burnley’s manager. The 36-year-old left Belgian giants Anderlecht last month after two years at the helm. Burnley is looking to recover its Premier League status at the first attempt, having been relegated last season.

Vincent Kompany
Kompany led Anderlecht to a third-place finish in Belgium last season. (Image: twitter/icemankl)

“Burnley is a truly historic English side and it is an honor to be appointed first-team manager,” Kompany said. “I’m excited by the challenge ahead. I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players and creating a positive, winning team for our fans when we return to Turf Moor,” the former defender stressed.

“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,” Kompany concluded.

Alan Pace, Burnley’s chairman, said Kompany’s leadership skills convinced him he’s the right person to take the club forward.

“Vincent is a proven leader and I’ve been very impressed with his ideas for Burnley Football Club, his appetite to succeed, and his focus on leading the club back to the Premier League,” Pace commented.

“Vincent has shown impressive credentials in leading one of Belgium’s biggest teams back to European football and a cup final last season, and we’ve been excited by his philosophy, approach, and ambition for the club,” the official added.

Kompany was a player/manager at Anderlecht in the 2019-20 season, then hung up his boots and led his team from the sidelines. Before rejoining Anderlecht in 2019, the team where he made his debut as a player, Kompany became a Manchester City legend after winning four titles in his 11 years at the club.

As Anderlecht’s head coach, Kompany guided his players to a third-place finish in the Belgian league playoffs in 2021.

Burnley’s target: immediate promotion

Burnley was relegated after a six-year stint in the Premier League, but they don’t plan to play Championship football for too long. The team’s goal is to return to the Premier League. Long-serving manager Sean Dyche was sacked in April after almost 10 years of service, with Mike Jackson being named caretaker for the final part of the campaign.

Jackson won 10 points from a maximum possible of 12 in his first four games in charge, but then failed to win any of the remaining four encounters as Burnley slipped to the second tier.

Burnley is at +1200 to win the Championship next season, with four teams better seated in the odds race. Norwich and Watford, the two other relegated sides, top the favorites’ list at +600 and +700, respectively. West Brom is at +900, while Sheffield United stands at +1000. Middlesbrough is at +1200. When it comes to betting on promotion, Burnley is at +350 behind Norwich at +175, Watford at +190, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and West Brom, all at +275.