Former NFL star JJ Watt reveals why he invested in Burnley and heaps praise on ‘great leader’ Vincent Kompany, as he insists he is ‘deeply passionate’ about being successful at the Premier League club

Former NFL star JJ Watt has explained why he decided to invest in Premier League club Burnley last year.

The 35-year-old Watt, who played 12 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2023, became a minority investor last May along with his wife Kealia, a former professional footballer, when the club was promoted to the Premier League.

Watt, who has previously admitted he is a Chelsea fan, appeared on the Stick to Football podcast alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Jill Scott, which attracted him to Burnley.

‘I knew that I wanted to work with ownership after my career, so in the last years of my career I looked for opportunities, both in America and here. [in the UK],’ he said.

‘I love football, I really do. I’ve been watching the Premier League since 2010-2011, looked at a few clubs and someone said you should talk to Burnley. I went up and met everyone, Vincent [Kompany]saw the city and it just felt right.

Watt has revealed he was convinced to invest after visiting the club and meeting manager Vincent Kompany

“I’m from Wisconsin, Green Bay isn’t a big city, but it’s a city that loves its people and cares about its team, and I could see that Burnley lives and dies with every kick of the ball, so it felt good. ‘

Burnley stormed to the Championship title last season under manager Vincent Kompany, but have struggled on their return to the top level.

They have managed just four league wins all season and are currently six points from safety with six games remaining.

It has proven to be a challenging year for Kompany in his first season as Premier League manager, but Watt has no doubts about his ability to succeed in the dugout at the highest level.

“Vincent Kompany is a great leader,” Watt said. ‘I think the way he commands the respect of the players is down to his knowledge.

‘Plus he’s a brilliant man, he speaks six or seven languages, so when you see him come out of practice and with [David] Fofana in one language and he talks to [Lorenz] Assignon in another language – he moves seamlessly between these guys and it’s incredible.

‘And then he stays sober. But all season long, even when things weren’t going our way, it was just fun to have that mentality and the ability to keep the players moving.”

Watt has praised Kompany for his leadership qualities despite Burnley’s problems this season

Kompany led Burnley to championship glory last season and Watt described him as a ‘brilliant man’

Watt joined Burnley’s open top bus parade last year following their promotion, despite the event taking place just days after his investment.

His decision to lead the celebrations led to some skepticism that he might only be interested in joining if all goes well, and could choose to turn his back on the club during more difficult periods.

Watt admits he felt guilty about the bus parade celebrations but has insisted he is in it for the long term and is determined to deliver consistent success to Burnley.

He also revealed that the club has already started planning for the Championship to ensure they are well prepared for another promotion if their relegation from the Premier League is confirmed in the coming weeks.

Watt added: “Last year we won the championship about two months after I came [at Burnley]and Alan [Pace], our majority shareholder, looks at me and says, “You carry the trophy onto the field.” And I thought, “Alan, these people are going to boo me off the field! I’m the student who came to the project without doing anything!”

“But it was the coolest day [winning the league]. We did the bus parade and stuff. Knowing that day, and always keeping it in mind, is all I want to get back for these people – what that feels like.”

Confirming his commitment to the club, he continued: “I can’t explain how passionate I am about it [the project at Burnley]and I knew I was going to do that, but I didn’t realize at this level how much I would care and how much I would enjoy hanging out with these people.

“Even if I’m not there and I wake up in Arizona at 4 in the morning for a game, it’s really all over. My son is only 18 months old, but he’s yelling at the TV because his dad threw a coffee mug across the living room.

Watt is a former NFL star and still has that competitive edge, with the American insisting he is desperate to bring success to Burnley

‘It would be naive of us if we did not anticipate both scenarios [staying in the Premier League or going down to the Championship], of course yes. So in all of our board meetings, we talk about what each scenario would look like.

‘It’s so funny because every game I post about Burnley and stuff. And on every post there will be someone saying “Oh yeah, we’ll see where you are next year when you’re in the Championship. Bet you’re not going to any Championship games”.

‘I’m like, A, I went to four games in the Championship last year, B, I’m not an investor who said, “oh, I’m just here for the Premier League” – I think, for example, I’m here for the fight.

“I’m an athlete, I’m part of this club now and I want to be here for it. I will be there in the championship fighting to get back up. You can’t jump ship just because the team isn’t going to win.”

JJ Watt spoke on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky bet