Pep Guardiola offers journalists a cheeky bet as he names his Man City successor

Pep Guardiola is willing to wager Vincent Kompany will one day be the manager of Manchester City.

Kompany returned to the club he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups with, nearly four years after his departure. However, he made his comeback as the manager of Premier League-bound Burnley in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Unfortunately, his return did not go to plan at all, as his former employers trounced his side 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium. But despite the humbling and lesson Guardiola handed to him, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager insisted Kompany will one day be sat in the same place as him.

“One day, he (Vincent Kompany) will be sitting here (as a manager), talking about representing Manchester City,” Guardiola said after the game. “It’s going to happen.

“I’ll bet you whatever you want. I will win the bet.” Burnley may have been the heavy underdogs going into their clash against the Citizens, but nobody will be betting against them to not reach the promised land.

Clarets fans were fearing the worst when they were relegated last season, due to the serious financial difficulties caused by a £65m loan their American owners ALK Capital took out at the time of their takeover in December 2020. Multiple sources have claimed their tumble into the Championship meant a substantial portion of the hefty loan had to be immediately repaid to the bank.

Kompany immediately lost England goalkeeper Nick Pope, and experienced defensive duo Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, who both departed as free agents. However, the Belgian manager has not only opened up a 13 point lead at the top of the Championship, he has also achieved this by implementing a free-flowing, attacking style of play.

“The reception (he got at the Etihad Stadium) shows how Vincent (Kompany) is in this club, how he is in this institution,” Guardiola added. “The people don’t chant his name or don’t make this welcome if you were not so important.

“The job he has done so far in Burnley is really, really impressive. I admire the courage to come here, to make man-to-man, they had chances, and I had the same feeling after playing against his team, being there.”