Kompany’s’ Role Changed After Uninspiring Start At Anderlecht

Vincent Kompany will pass on coaching duties on matchdays after a dreadful start to his tenure as player-coach of Anderlecht.

Kompany ended an 11-year association with Manchester City in May after captaining the club to an unprecedented domestic treble in English football.

The 33-year-old Belgium centre-back opted for a return to his boyhood club as player-coach but an anticipated fairy tale has not got off to the anticipated start, with Anderlecht fourth bottom of the Belgian First Division with two points from four matches.

First-team coach Simon Davies – formerly Manchester City’s academy chief – will now lead Anderlecht from the sidelines, with Kompany functioning as captain.

Kompany’s commitment to a style of play akin to Guardiola’s City template has come in for criticism but Davies insists Anderlecht will not divert from their chosen path because of poor results.